Workplace Resource: Off-Duty Civil Rights Policy

Purpose:

To ensure the company respects the freedom of all employees to exercise their civil rights of freedom of speech, free exercise of religion, freedom of association, peaceable assembly, and protest, outside of work.

 

Model Policy Language:

[Insert Name] respects the freedom of all employees to exercise their civil rights of freedom of speech, free exercise of religion, freedom of association, peaceable assembly, and protests for social and political causes, so long as such conduct or speech: takes place outside of work; is legal and non-violent; does not disclose confidential or proprietary company information or trade secrets; is not a direct conflict of interest with the company's primary business(es); does not directly or materially interfere with the employee's job performance or business operations; and does not involve the use of company resources or property.

 

Application:

Other relevant company policies may need to be included or referenced here, such as those related to social media use; secondary employment; nondiscrimination/harassment.

Companies should periodically review all policies related to employees’ exercise of their civil rights outside of work to ensure consistency with this policy.

 

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