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
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.
Adam Rosenthal
Adam Rosenthal is an employment attorney and Partner at Sheppard Mullin based in California. Adam represents a broad spectrum of companies before federal and state courts and arbitration forums. In addition to his single plaintiff and class action litigation practice, Adam advises clients throughout the country on compliance matters. Adam is one of the few attorneys on the SHRM Speakers Bureau. This is the third year in a row Adam has been invited to lecture at the SHRM Annual Conference. Adam is also the author of Managing Employees Without Fear: How to Follow the Law, Build a Positive Work Culture, and Avoid Getting Sued. Adam received his undergraduate degree from UCLA and his law degree from UC Davis.