Governor Newsom signs legislation protecting workers from forced political and religious messaging
What you need to know: New law protects employees from being forced into so-called “captive audience” meetings often used to discourage unionization efforts.
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation prohibiting employers from taking adverse actions against workers who refuse to attend meetings or receive communications regarding religious or political matters, including union-related topics.
“California has a rich history of standing up for workers’ rights, and this bill continues that tradition — making sure employees have the freedom to make their own decisions without coercion. We are proud to support the workers who keep our economy strong by giving them the right to work without fear of retaliation simply because they chose not to listen to political or religious messaging.”
Governor Gavin Newsom
How SB 399 protects workers
SB 399 by Senator Aisha Wahab (D-Silicon Valley) prevents employers from disciplining, discriminating against, or discharging employees for refusing to participate in employer-sponsored meetings or communications on religious or political matters that are not related to their job duties. This includes discussions on unionization, protecting workers from anti-union rhetoric that employers may attempt to impose in mandatory settings.
Employers remain free to express their views, but this law ensures that employees cannot be forced to listen.
“SB 399 is vital to shielding employees from retaliation for opting out of captive audience meetings unrelated to their jobs,” said Dr. Wahab. “With my small business background, I ensured the bill strikes a balance, protecting both employers and employees.”
Several states, including Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington, have enacted similar laws, underscoring growing national support for these employee rights in the workplace.
Here’s what California labor leaders said about this announcement:
- “Captive audience meetings are routinely used to frighten workers and discourage unionization. We applaud Senator Wahab and Governor Newsom for ensuring that California workers are free from this kind of abuse and free to join a union.” – Peter Finn, President of Teamsters Joint Council 7
- “For far too long, employers have used the power they have over workers to hold them hostage in meetings aimed at imposing political, religious, or even anti-union views that don’t align with workers’ beliefs. SEIU members thank Governor Newsom for standing up against coercion in the workplace and Senator Wahab for championing this necessary worker protection.” – Tia Orr, Executive Director of SEIU California
- “This is a huge win for workers in California. Every worker should be able to do their job without being forced to participate in meetings about their employer’s political or religious views.” – Amber Parrish, Executive Director of the United Food and Commercial Workers Western States Council
- “Everyone deserves freedom from intimidation at work. No one should lose their job because they refused to listen to their bosses’ views on politics or religion. No one should be forced against their will to attend captive audience meetings where their bosses threaten and coerce them out of reporting labor violations, or exercising their right to join a union.” – Lorena Gonzalez, President of the California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIO
Governor Newsom’s leadership protecting workers
Supporting fast-food workers: Governor Newsom signed legislation to increase the minimum wage for California’s more than 500,000 fast–food workers to $20 per hour. It also created the Fast Food Council where workers have a stronger say in setting minimum wages and working conditions, including health and safety standards. In July, the state had more fast food jobs than ever before in state history.
Extending paid family leave: The Governor expanded paid family leave, allowing workers more time to care for family members while receiving a portion of their wages. This ensures that no one has to choose between work and family in times of need.
Protecting entertainment industry workers: The Governor recently signed legislation to protect performers from unauthorized use of their digital likeness in films and other productions, ensuring workers’ rights in the rapidly evolving AI-driven landscape.
More paid sick days: Governor Newsom signed legislation to expand workers’ paid sick leave, guaranteeing five paid sick days per year and increasing the ability to earn and keep them.
Expanding farmworkers’ union rights: Governor Newsom signed legislation expanding union rights for farmworkers, creating new ways for farmworkers to vote in a union election, including options for mail-in ballots, and authorization cards submitted to the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board, in addition to the existing in-person voting process.