Sessions
Concurrent Session
How to Prevent the Breakroom From Becoming A Battlefield: Legal and Practical Considerations For Encouraging Civility and Tolerance At Work While Handling Complicated Matters Involving Politics, Race, and Religion
353-355
In-Person
Wednesday 06/15/2022 08:45 AM - 09:45 AM
Competencies: Business (Behavioral), Interpersonal (Behavioral), Leadership (Behavioral), Workplace (Technical)
Workplace Application:
Attendees will attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to incorporate principles of civility and tolerance within their organizations while being mindful of their legal obligations when contentious discussions of politics, race, and religion enter the workplace.
Now more than anytime in American history employers are leading, or being forced into the middle of, complex and often highly-charged discussions around politics, race, and religion. During this session, author and employment attorney Adam Rosenthal, will discuss the legal considerations and best practices for HR professionals in navigating discussions and disagreements in the workplace around hot button political and social issues, and how to help foster a culture of civility, tolerance, and emotional safety in the workplace.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the legal considerations private-sector employers must take into account when drafting and enforcing policies.
- Obtain practical advice on steps HR professionals can take when mediating interpersonal employment disputes that involve, or touch upon, contentious political issues.
- Learn best practices when advising senior leadership on how the company can engage in “political speech” without violating US employment law.
- Learn when it is lawful to discipline employees who engage in unpopular or offensive conduct outside of the workplace.
- Learn how the MeToo and BLM Movements, the 2020 Presidential election, and the COVID-19 pandemic, has shifted the landscape when it comes to employers engaging in, and responding to, local and national political issues.
In-person session offerings are on a first-come, first-served basis.
