California’s “Captive Audience” Ban on Governor’s Desk
At the end of its recent session, the California Legislature passed SB 399, the “California Worker Freedom from Employer Intimidation Act.” S B 399 prohibits employers from taking adverse employment actions against employees who decline to attend an employer-sponsored (“captive audience”) meeting, or participate in employer driven communications, where the purpose is to relate the employer’s opinion about religious or political matters. The bill is now on the Governor’s desk. He has until the end of September to sign or veto it . If enacted, California would join a growing list of states attempting to ban “captive audience” meetings about religious and/or political matters. Other states with similar laws include Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. SB 399’s Key Provisions SB 399 would limit an employer’s ability to communicate with employees regarding political or religious matters during mandatory meetings that occur at work. The bill’s ...