California Bans Captive Audience Meetings

California has joined many other states across the country that now ban captive audience meetings through its passage of SB 399.  As of January 1, 2025, California employers are prohibited from imposing any type of adverse employment action (or threat of such action) against an employee who declines to attend an employer-sponsored meeting or who declines to receive or listen to any communication with the employer that is intended to communicate the employer’s opinion about religious or political matters (including labor union issues).  What is more, an employee who is working at the time of any such meeting and elects not to attend such meeting still must be paid while the meeting is held.  

SB 399 carries a $500 civil penalty per employee for each violation of the law.  The California Labor Commissioner also may enforce SB 399 by investigating and issuing a citation or filing a civil action.  And the law carries a private right of action as well.  California employers should consult their labor counsel to ensure compliance with SB 399.