Captive Audience Meetings by State

Employers frequently hold meetings to communicate essential information - ranging from job duties and safety protocols to organizational goals - to employees. Attendance at these meetings is often mandatory. However, when the primary purpose of a meeting is to express the employer's views on political or religious matters, it may fall under the category of a "captive audience" meeting.

"Political matters" often include union-related communications, such as decisions to join or support a labor organization, and these meetings are often held during union organizing campaigns.

This 50-state chart provides a comparative overview of laws regulating captive audience meetings. The chart includes:

• Prohibitions: Employer behaviors that are regulated or prohibited.
• Definitions: How states define "political matters" and, where applicable, "religious matters."
• Exceptions: Statutory carve-outs that permit certain communications or limit the scope of restrictions.
• Required Notice: Requirements for notifications that employers must provide to employees.

A cell marked with "N/A" indicates that state law does not have a particular requirement.

For further guidance on unionization procedures and compliance, refer to The Unionization Process federal and state sections in the Employment Law Guide.