POLITICS AT WORK: CAN YOU BE FIRED BECAUSE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE YOU SUPPORT?
The political party you support is none of your employer's business. In fact, it is against the law for your employer to discriminate against you, fire you, or harass you because of the party (Democrat, Republican, Independent, etc ...) you support. Additionally, the California Labor Code says that it is unlawful for your employer to coerce or influence or attempt to coerce or influence you through threat of termination, demotion, or harassment in order to get you to adopt or follow or not adopt or follow any particular political party or activity.
Political speech at work generally is not protected by the First Amendment. Both government and non-government employees are prohibited by federal law (the Hatch Act) from wearing buttons in favor of or against a party or displaying campaign posters or stickers where they work. In terms of political speech, your employer has the authority to control how you, the employee, express yourself on the job when in regards to your political affiliation. Unfortunately, your employer may discipline or terminate you if you act unprofessionally or create disturbances in the workplace.
Do you believe you have been discriminated against or retaliated against as a result of your political leanings? Our knowledgeable California employment lawyers might be able to help you recover damages for any pain, suffering, or lost wages you may have incurred as a result of retaliation. If you live in California, call our employment attorneys at Greenberg & Rudman LLP at 1-800-252-9776 (1-800-ALAWPRO) for a free consultation regarding your legal rights and to hear how one of our experienced employment lawyers may be able to help you.
