With the election just a month away, everyone seems to have
strong opinions about the candidates and issues. Inevitably, these
opinions will come up during conversations on the jobsite and can
be disruptive and interfere with productivity. They also can expose
employers and employees to legal risks if they do not fully
understand the laws that govern political speech at work.
Many people are surprised to learn that free speech at work
isn't the same as free speech on the street. For some practical
advice on handling possible disruptions caused by strong political
feelings at work, see "Politics In The
Workplace," elsewhere in this issue. In this article,
we'll set out a breakdown of a number of laws that regulate
political speech on the jobsite.
