Sec. 23.10.450. Employee rights to avoid speech.

331 words·~2 min read·/ak/title-23/chapter-10/23-10-450·

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

(a)An employer, either personally or through an agent or representative, may not take or threaten to take adverse employment action against an employee because that employee refuses to:

(1)attend an employer-sponsored meeting, the primary purpose of which is to communicate the employer's opinion about religious matters or political matters; or

(2)listen to communications, the primary purpose of which is to communicate the employer's opinion about religious matters or political matters.

(b)An employer found to violate

(a)of this section is liable for the employee's lost wages resulting from the employee's decision not to participate or any adverse employment action taken as a result.

(c)This section does not prohibit:

(1)an employer or its agent or representative from communicating to its employees information the employer is required by law to communicate;

(B)necessary for an employee to perform the employee's job; or

(C)directly related to, or relevant to, the workplace.

(2)an institution of higher education or its agent or representative from communicating to its employees coursework, symposia, or an academic program;

(3)a requirement that an employer's executive personnel listen to communications about the employer's business;

(4)a bona fide religious organization from requiring its employees to attend an employer-sponsored meeting or participate in any communication with the employer or the employer's agent, representative, or designee for the primary purpose of communicating the employer's religious beliefs, practices, or tenets.

(d)The provisions of this section do not apply to informational meetings otherwise required by local, state, or federal law.

(e)In this section,

(1)"political matters" means matters relating to elections for political office, political parties, candidates, proposed legislation or regulations, and the decision whether or not to join or support a political party, or political, civic, communal, fraternal, or labor organization;

(2)"religious matters" means matters relating to religious affiliation and practice and the decision whether or not to join or support a religious organization or association.