This year’s heated election cycle and last week’s shootings have left nerves raw. I see evidence of this on Facebook every day as “Friends” express their anger, fear, and criticism in memes, status updates, and comment wars. With the parallel existence of our virtual and real lives, these same sentiments are just under the surface in conversations at work and will undoubtedly bubble to the surface, if not explode, at work. As an employer, how do you maintain a cordial work environment, ensure that your employees feel safe and are productive, and also protect yourself from a lawsuit? To help navigate through the rest of this year, California employers should be mindful of 3 main principles when it comes to politics in the workplace. Beware of forcing your politics on your employees. Yes, at this point there is no question that corporations have the right to free speech. However, California law prohibits employers from “[c]ontrolling or directing, or tending to control or direct the political activities or affiliations of [their] employees.” (Cal. Lab. Code § 1101.) Additionally, Section 1102 of the Labor … Continue reading →