I'll admit, I don't often agree with policy positions from the Chamber of Commerce, but I'm really having a tough time wrapping my head around this one. The West Virginia House of Delegates has passed, and the Senate is considering, a bill that:
would prohibit employers from forcing their employees to attend meetings where the employer endorses political candidates or offers anti-union rhetoric.The Chamber is vehemently opposed, claiming that the law would be "another nail in the coffin for the state's economic future" and is possibly unconstitutional. Putting the constitutional issue to the side, what exactly is so awful about giving employees an out if their employer wants to shove some political dogma down their throat? If it was a religious meeting, there'd be no doubt that the employees could opt out. Why should politics be any different? Assuming you're not working in a political office, how are your politics any of your boss's business?* * *
The bill prohibits employers from firing employees who do not attend meetings. The bill allows lawsuits and civil penalties.
1 comment:
When I worked for the "big firm" in Charleston, it often invited candidates to speak--usually during lunch, of course, so nobody missed the billable hours. One time, the partners strongly encouraged all the associates to attend, and they absolutely assured us that the candidate would not hit us up for donations.
The candidate spoke. Then he hit us up for donations. Of course.
I don't have to worry about this issue arising in my current job, but this bill is a good idea.
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