Under Senate Bill 5778, employees in the state of Washington maintain protections if they refuse to view/listen to communications or attend employer meetings that relate to religious and/or political matters. The bill will go into effect on June 6, 2024.
Employers may not threaten or take disciplinary action against an employee who refuses to:
- Listen to or view a speech that communicates the employer’s opinion on political or religious matters
- Attend or participate in an employer-sponsored meeting (or with the employer’s agent, designee, or representative) with the primary purpose of communicating the employer’s opinion on religious or political matters
Employers also cannot require employees to attend such meetings. They are not allowed to take action against employees who make good faith reports of suspected violations or actual violations of this law.
The definition of political matters includes those related to elections for political office, political parties, deciding to support or join a political party or civic/community/labor/political/fraternal association, and/or any proposals to change regulations or legislation.
Religious matters relate to religious affiliation and practice, plus deciding to support or join a religious association or organization.
Some employers are exempt. Review the full bill for additional details.
This article is informational and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with an employment lawyer or accountant for additional clarification on how these changes impact your company.
