Elections Issues: Sponsoring Campaign Events

Author: Marta Moakley, XpertHR Legal Editor

Employers wishing to hold campaign events at the workplace need to balance the overall benefit of a preferred candidate winning an election with any potential disruption in the workplace and resulting decrease in output. In addition, employers should ensure that safety plans and security measures are followed when holding a campaign event at a worksite, such as a plant or factory.

Mandating attendance during working hours may raise questions regarding wage and hour issues. Employers should comply with applicable wage and hour laws when requiring attendance at a campaign event during working and non-working hours. Importantly, supervisors should be trained on compensation rules to avoid costly regulatory fines.

Furthermore, in a unionized workplace, specific rules govern a union's use of nonunion member dues and initiation fees in campaigning.

XpertHR provides the following resources that address employers' and unions' political activities.

Employment Law Manual

Supervisor Briefings

Policies and Documents

Law Reports

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