But she once ruled that the right to free speech barred New York City from firing an office worker for posting a racist letter.

ECONOMIST: America's Supreme Court

The office of Mr Grieve responded by posting a note on the petition, saying he would give the matter priority.

BBC: Anne Williams

Unlike the slow growth in the Windows segment, the Office productivity suite maintained its growth during the previous quarter, posting a 7% gain in revenues year-over-year.

FORBES: Office Will Need To Prop Up Microsoft's Earnings Ahead Of Windows 8

Michael Owens, Mr. Rhone's lawyer, said he filed an appeal last month with the NLRB's office of appeals in hopes of getting the agency to reconsider filing a complaint, citing another posting that he said referred to Mr. Rhone's workplace frustration.

WSJ: When a Facebook Rant Gets You Fired

Mr Prescott claims that the male geeks in his office have realised that they can reduce the risk of being laughed at for their fashion choices by posting pictures of clothes they want to buy in advance, to see what reaction they get before they splash the cash.

ECONOMIST: Can play shopping transform the real thing?