Can, or Should, Employers Prohibit Employees from Wearing Political Gear in the Office?

Karina Sterman, Partner in Greenberg Glusker’s Litigation and Employment Law Departments, shared her insights with SHRM regarding politics and dress code in the workplace. 

Excerpts:

"So long as speech and images are not violating anti-discrimination and anti-harassment laws, political statements and images can legally be permitted in the workplace,” said Karina Sterman, employment partner at Greenberg Glusker in Los Angeles.

"Even an employer that champions engagement and self-expression should consider whether it should be allowed,” Sterman said. “Simple parameters such as prohibiting names and images of politicians, names and logos of political parties, and identifiable campaign slogans are a good place to start.” She said such prohibitions can help minimize “the emotional heat that is often an unintentional consequence of political expression."

Resources

• SHRM