Facebook, Netflix protests show tech workers aren't afraid to take complaints public

A man holds a placard as he attends a rally in support of the Netflix transgender employee walkout 'Stand Up in Solidarity' to protest the streaming of comedian Dave Chappelle's new comedy special. — Reuters

Silicon Valley has a powerful new adversary: its own workforce.

Attracted by high salaries, world-class perks and the promise of being able to make a positive difference in the world, employees of the biggest tech and Internet companies have long ranked high on measures of job satisfaction and loyalty. But with their companies frequently at the centre of contentious political and cultural struggles, they are increasingly concluding that doing good requires breaking with the corporate line — often publicly.