Work place political harassment?

[Javaman]

Here at my work, my boss (owner of the company) sent out an email regarding a local city council person and how "we" as a company should support her candidacy. He was asking for donations, maximum of $100 dollars.
Is there a law limiting or against this type of work place solicitation of a political candidate?
Is this considered a form of harassment in the work place?

[GiovanniC]

1. I Don't Know But It Happens To Me All The Time Too

Religious stuff sometimes too, like yesterday: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3813408&mesg_id=3813408">My Boss Is An Idiot Part 3,198

[Pockets]

2. I'm sorry to hear that...

I hate to say this but you might as well give $20 or so, then you can give the remaining $80 to the candidate of your choice. It's wrong what they're doing, but from in a political work environment you have to make the smart moves.

[undeterred]

3. A lot of companies don't allow solicitations of any kind

but if you work for a small company and its the owner, I guess he makes the rules.

Its only harassment if not giving jeopardizes your employment.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

8. Funny you posted that. Yesterday I was protesting a bill that I

do not owe, the person I was talking to agreed that he could not see where the bill came from, that I didn't receive the money and somebody else apparently had used my info to get a $1,550.00 loan! But it is on me to prove the fraud!

What really got me was while I was arguing with this brain dead jerk over this mess yesterday this "supervisor" actually said that I should be more careful of what I put on my car if I expect help from MOST people to get this corrected. At first I didn't have a clue what he was talking about (I was still in the raise hell over bill mode) before it finally hit me. This guy is a GOP Nazi. I have Ky for Kerry/Edwards and DU bumper stickers on my car. The guy is a Chimpy GOP a$$wipe and thought he could intimidate me. In his mind I think he thought I was just a dumb ass (hence the Kerry/DU stickers) and would accept a bill I didn't owe. That I needed his all powerful magic to get this corrected and he just wasn't sure he "could" because of some bumpers stickers.

Geeze, "morans" are everywhere. I called the president of the company before I had even gotten home. Told them I was being harassed by an employee over bill I did not owe and he threated not to help get the situation rectified because of my political views. That there were witnesses and if he didn't take care of the bill and this employee immediately I was going to the press and an attorney.

Got a call last night. Situation handled. Have I ever mentioned I hate repugs? I really, really do.

[DebinTx]

4. Don't donate if you don't want to

and if someone inquires about whether you did just reply "My finances are personal." and leave it at that. Course don't be talking about how you got a great deal on a new car in the office then.

[Pockets]

7. Then when it comes time for a raise?

And next year when he only gets a 15 cent raise, couldn't the boss just say, "your finances are personal, not my problem." I would make the boss happy and play politics. $20 for the 'company candidate' and $80 for his pick. After all the company is where his income originates.

[Blue Diadem]

10. His income may originate from them but they have no right

to tell him how to spend it. It's overstepping boundaries..what next..demand that he attend and donate to their church, demand that he attend political rallys?

[Pockets]

15. I agree with you but...

That's workplace politics. Also, it might not 'be right' but the boss does 'have the right' to ask for political donations.

I'm just looking out for the best interests of the OP. I'm suggesting he play the game, or if he prefers, maybe work for a company that has no overlapping of personal interests into business whatsoever. Some businesses lack any kind of social interaction between their employees to avoid these kind of conflicts, and that gets stale really fast. Suggesting that one should get his employer in trouble with authorities at the drop of a dime is not a wise move, IMHO.

[Blue Diadem]

16. I suppose it all depends on how strongly one feels when their

money is requested for something or someone they don't believe in.

[displacedtexan]

5. Here's a good link for info...

Snippet:

The law does not consider a payroll deduction or a supervisor's request for a donation to be coercive, explains Bizzell, but any solicitation must include a disclaimer informing employees of their right to "refuse to contribute without reprisal."

Nonetheless, almost 40 percent of top finance executives don't fully believe their careers are unaffected by their workplace political contributions. And if PAC contributions blur the line between individuals and their companies, the latest trend in office solicitations — bundling — makes the distinction even more obscure.

Link: http://www.cfo.com/article.cfm/3014831/2/c_3046615?f=archives

Consequences could be extremely subtle if you refuse to contribute. For example, your work load or schedule could change. Of course, management would come up with some lame assed excuse for such changes.

[NewJeffCT]

12. Ha! I can't believe it's only 40%

It should be like 90%.

I worked for a company in the top 100 of the Fortune 500 from 2001-2003. The CEO of the company (recently fired!) sent around a notice to everybody that was an AVP or above in 2002 that Republicans best support issues important to the company and that if you were to donate or not donate, please send use this form and send it back to the CEO so they can send in one mass donation from the Company to important Republicans. While I'm sure it had legal disclaimers up the wazoo and all, if you were an AVP, 2nd VP, VP, etc and valued your career and had to return a "Yes" or "No" donation form back to the CEO's office, don't you think you'd feel at least some pressure?
I mean, it had to go through everybody's head that Uncle Bob the CEO has a master list of who donated and who did not.

[acmejack]

6. What state are you in?

There are laws that vary by state.

[Javaman]

9. Texas

[Horse with no Name]

17. Well in Texas they can fire you if they don't like the color of your shirt

So I would have to ask how "demanding" this request was?
If it was merely a suggestion, I'd blow it off, but if it was stronger than that, I'd probably go ahead and do it to avoid losing your job.
They are hard to find you know.

[Chicago1]

11. This is uncalled for

It should NEVER EVER transpire in the workplace.


Waiting for the IMPEACHMENT WHILE THE SCANDALS KEEP UNFOLDING
America's Work Stories
http://usaworkstories.blogspot.com
[e-mail]

[Mizmoon]

13. In New York that is illegal

FYI

[acmejack]

14. Here is what I learned

A corporation is prohibited by Election Code section 253.094 from making expenditures to communicate with its employees, retirees and their families about an election only if the communication "expressly advocates" the defeat or election of an identified candidate, as that term has been used by the United States Supreme Court. The inclusion of words such as "vote for," "elect," "support," "defeat," "reject," or "Smith for Senate" would clearly constitute express advocacy. Whether communications including candidates' voting records and positions on issues, poll results, and third-party endorsements constitute express advocacy would depend on the precise language of the communication.

http://www.ethics.state.tx.us/opinions/198.html

You can actually ask an attorney here:

URL: http://www.texasatj.org/LegalServicesandOth10DA2/index.asp