Whether you are an employer or a worker, there is a chance that you may have considered the potential issues related to labor organizing. As part of those considerations, you may have run into something known as a “captive audience” meeting. But what exactly is a captive audience meeting, and why might it cause legal issues for business owners and employees?
What is a Captive Audience Meeting?
In simple terms, a captive audience meeting is a meeting held by an employer about labor organizing where employees are forced to attend, or else face some kind of punishment. For example, people who fail to attend these meetings may be formally disciplined, or they may be denied promotions or raises. In more extreme circumstances, workers may even be fired for failing to attend, especially if they intentionally missed the meeting.
Why Do Business Owners Run Captive Audience Meetings?
Captive audience meetings are typically run to try to discourage employees from engaging in labor organizing, and in particular to prevent the creation of a union. These meetings take advantage of the fact that employers can punish employees for failing to follow orders, using the threat of professional consequences to compel attendance. At these meetings, employers can freely subject employees to messaging intended to discourage them from taking advantage of their labor rights.
Why Might it Be Legally Problematic?
While captive audience meetings may be appealing from a certain perspective, they can be legally problematic, especially in New York State. This is because these types of meetings have been prohibited by state law, and employers cannot legally punish an employee who refuses to attend one of these meetings. Employers who try to force the issue and compel their employees to attend a captive audience meeting may face both legal and financial consequences for doing so.
What Should You Do?
Whether you are an employer or an employee, it is essential to have experienced counsel to help you if you are facing issues related to captive audience meetings. That is why you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling employment law issues like these. They can guide you on your potential best course of action, and ensure you get the outcome you deserve.
If you have a business law issue, give the Law Office of Andrew Ross Sack a call. Andrew Ross Sack is a New York and New Jersey business lawyer who has considerable experience in handling the many aspects of labor and employment law. To schedule a consultation with New York City/Long Island/Westchester employment lawyer Andrew Ross Sack, call (516) 526-3319 or visit his contact page.
