New York State bans employee captive audience meetings

On September 6, 2023, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law a bill that prohibits employers from forcing employees to attend meetings or listen to communications where the “primary purpose” of such gatherings or messages is for management to express its views on certain religious or political matters, including supporting for joining a labor organization. Such “captive audience meetings” have long been a key tactic employers use to persuade employees to remain union-free when faced with union organizing. The bill, which amended section 201-d of the New York Labor Law, prohibits employers from disciplining workers from refusing to attend captive audience meetings. It went into effect immediately upon the Governor’s signature on September 6.