Question

HR IN AL

How do you handle employees who are wearing political t-shirts? Do you allow it? I am arguing with my plant manager that it is covered under 1st amendment. He says we are covered under our no solicitation policy. I say the policy is vague and we will have a problem with our employees by all the sudden telling them they can't wear a political t-shirt in light of the presidential race.

NaeNae55

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 11-07-08 AT 03:03PM (CST)[/font][br][br]It is my understanding that a private employer may require its employees to leave certain things out of the workplace; politics is one of them. In my opinion, the 1st amendment does not apply here.

See here for more information:

[url]http://www.montereyherald.com/jacquelinemcmanus/ci_10744244[/url]

joannie

We address the issue in our dress code. T-shirts with writing are prohibited.

davids

If you are a private employer, you can establish whatever policy you want. We are a public employer, where employees do have some constitutional protections. However, even we can prohibit employees from advocating a political position while on the job.

stilldazed

If your policy allows, you can prohibit T-shirts with emotional or disruptive messages on them, which should not limit them solely to political T-shirts. If you prohibit other messages that can be offensive or disruptive, you can prohibit politically charged messages as well, from hats, jackets, T-shirts, etc, anything that is visible to other workers in the workplace.