Poltical Activity in the Workplace

Although often cited as a source of free speech rights, the First Amendment does not actually provide employees with a constitutional right to express political thoughts or opinions in a private workplace (as it only controls government action). As a general matter, employers can regulate what employees say and do in the workplace during working hours. However, federal and state laws exist that complicate an employer’s efforts to control the political speech, activities, affiliation of their employees.