RPJ Partner Alice K. Jump Featured in WorkLife Article

This week, RPJ Partner Alice K. Jump was featured in a WorkLife article examining the legal implications of political discourse in the workplace.

As the United States gears up for another contentious presidential election, the challenges faced by employers are more pronounced than ever. One in every three employees has experienced conflict arising from political disagreements at work, and such employees are 1.6 times more likely to quit than their peers. With political polarization at an all-time high, HR leaders are strategizing to manage employee reactions and maintain a productive work environment.

“The risk in these polarized times is that political discourse may quickly devolve into discriminatory or harassing behavior that violates employer policies and laws,” Ms. Jump warns. Employers have the right to enforce dress codes and limit political displays, but they must ensure that these rules are applied consistently and without bias.

“Employers must tread carefully when taking action against employees who cross the line,” Ms. Jump adds, highlighting the potential for claims of discrimination based on protected characteristics, such as race or religion, if adverse employment actions are perceived as biased.

In New York, laws protect employees from adverse actions based on their political activities outside the workplace, as long as these activities do not involve company resources. This underscores the need for HR leaders to be well-informed about state-specific regulations as they navigate these complex issues.

Read the full article here.

This article is intended as a general discussion of these issues only and is not to be considered legal advice or relied upon. For more information, please contact RPJ Partner Alice K. Jump who counsels clients on litigation, alternative dispute resolution and business counseling, with particular emphasis on representing clients in the financial services and real estate industries as well as educational and non-profit institutions. Ms. Jump is admitted to practice law in New York and before the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.