Thomas Cox's article "Political Discussions in the Workplace: A Volatile Combination" was featured in the Atlanta Tribune on October 27, 2015.
It is difficult to turn on the television or log onto social media without hearing about Campaign 2016. If you own a business or work as a human resources professional, it is equally clear that your employees are also being inundated with information regarding Campaign 2016. There is also one other certainty — your employees will generally not check their political opinions at the door when they come to work.
In the article, Thomas address the following topics:
- Political Expression at Work
- At-Will Employment
- The First Amendment and Private Sector Employment
- Where Do We Go from Here
Thomas advises employers to monitor the workforce for this type of unwanted behavior and review their company policies and procedures related to harassment, bullying and hostile work environment, as well as all policies requiring employers to provide a safe workplace. Any allegation of bullying and harassment should also be swiftly and thoroughly investigated. Finally, because the majority of states require employers to allow employees time off to vote on Election Day, some additional advance planning may be required here. Now is the time for management to prepare for the possible workplace disruption generated by — Campaign 2016.
To read the full article, please visit the Atlanta Tribune.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
