Category Archives: Workplace Rights

Ask A Worker’s Rights Attorney!

February 19th, 2021 by Sarah Ruhlen

Posted in Ask A Worker's Rights Attorney!, Workplace Rights |

Tags: Accommodations, ADA, Ask A Worker's Rights Attorney!, Civil Rights, discrimination, EEOC, employment attorney near me, employment law firm, employment lawyer near me, FMLA, Furloughs, harassment, labor attorney near me, labor law firm, labor lawyer near me, Layoffs, non-compete, Retaliation, workers rights attorney near me, workers rights law firm, workers rights lawyer near me, Workplace Rights

Law Books

The Satter Ruhlen Law Firm presents:

Ask A Worker’s Rights Attorney!

A webinar for workers.

Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 6:00 pm

Do you work in New York? Do you have a question about your workplace rights? This is your chance to ask an attorney about it. One lawyer, six participants, eight minutes per participant (we’ll have a timer!) Quick answers to your questions about wage and hour violations, discrimination, harassment, whistleblowing, unionizing, non-compete clauses, and other questions like “can they really do that to me?”

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Space is limited, so sign up soon!*

Participants will receive a 10% discount on a one-hour consultation with the Satter Ruhlen Law Firm.

Please note that this webinar is for informational purposes and is not to be considered legal advice. Participation in the webinar does not create or imply an attorney-client relationship. If you would like a dedicated one-hour consultation with us, please contact the Satter Ruhlen Law Firm at 315-471-0405 or through our website (https://www.satterlaw.com/contact-us/). We look forward to walking you through your workplace rights.

*Registrations will be screened for employees’ protection.

Experiencing Workplace Discrimination? Take Action Sooner Than Later to Preserve Your Rights

February 17th, 2021 by admin

Posted in Uncategorized, Workplace Rights |

Tags: EEOC, employment attorney near me, employment discrimination, employment law firm, employment lawyer near me, labor attorney near me, labor law firm, labor lawyer near me, statute of limitations, workers rights attorney near me, workers rights law firm, workers rights lawyer near me

Please note that the information contained in this post is for informational purposes and is not to be considered legal advice. This blog post does not create or imply an attorney-client relationship. If you would like to discuss your particular circumstances with us, please set up a consultation by contacting the Satter Ruhlen Law Firm at 315-471-0405 or through our website (https://www.satterlaw.com/contact-us/). We look forward to walking you through your workplace rights.

As the saying goes, time waits for no one. This includes individuals who have experienced discrimination in the workplace.

Under the New York State Human Rights Law [“NYSHRL”], it is unlawful for an employer to discriminate based on an individual’s age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, marital status, or status as a victim of domestic violence. Your right to bring a discrimination claim against your employer for a violation of the NYSHRL is subject to time limits known as statutes of limitations. If you file your complaint after the expiration of the limitations period, you will likely find your claim will not be heard.

A discrimination complaint under the NYSHRL must be filed with the Division of Human Rights within one year of the last act of discrimination (or three years for gender-based discrimination). Alternatively, an employee can file suit directly in the New York State Supreme Court within three years from the last act of discrimination based on any status protected by NYSHRL. Be aware that the limitations period to bring an employment claim under Federal anti-discrimination law is significantly shorter. If you want to preserve your rights under Federal law, the charge of employment discrimination must be filed with the Federal Equal Opportunity Commission within 180 calendar days from the day the discrimination took place. The 180 calendar day filing deadline is extended to 300 calendar days if a state or local agency where you work enforces a law that prohibits employment discrimination on the same basis. This is the case for New Yorkers.

If you think you have waited too long to initiate an action against your employer, you may catch a break thanks to one of Governor Cuomo’s COVID-19 Disaster Emergency measures. Back on March 20, 2020, Cuomo’s Executive Order 202.8, tolled the statute of limitations contained in the CPLR and other “procedural law of the state” for the commencement, filing, or service of any legal action, notice, motion, or other process or proceeding. That order was extended monthly until Executive Order 202.67, dated October 5, 2020 affirmatively stated that there will be no more extensions after November 3, 2020. These Executive Orders may afford you additional time to bring your claim for employment discrimination.

If you believe you are a victim of employment discrimination and are contemplating legal action but have questions about whether your claim is time-barred, contact a lawyer to discuss your options.

The COVID-19 Vaccination and Your Workplace. Know Your Rights!

January 27th, 2021 by admin

Posted in COVID-19 In The New York Workplace, Workplace Rights |

Tags: ADA, COVID-19, COVID-19 Vaccination, employment attorney near me, employment law firm, employment lawyer near me, labor attorney near me, labor law firm, labor lawyer near me, Reasonable Accommodation, Religious Exemption, Title VII, workers rights attorney near me, workers rights law firm, workers rights lawyer near me

As COVID-19 vaccines become available, you may find your employer encouraging, or mandating, vaccination to slow the spread of the virus and to keep yourself, co-workers, customers, and the general public, healthy. Below are some scenarios that might come up and an explanation of your rights should you face one of these situations.

Can my employer ask for proof that I have received the COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes. According to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission [“EEOC”] guidance, your employer can ask for proof that you have received the COVID-19 vaccine. Simply requesting proof of a COVID-19 vaccine is not likely to elicit information about a disability and, as such, is not a disability-related inquiry that would trigger Americans with Disabilities Act [“ADA”] (42 USC §12101, et seq.) protections. This means your employer is free to ask if you have been vaccinated and ask for documentation of this. Should your employer ask for proof that you have received the COVID-19 vaccine, make sure you don’t accidentally turn over any additional personal health information. If your employer presses you for information about why you have not received the vaccination and your response requires sharing information about your disability, it may be time to consult an attorney to discuss your rights.

Can my employer demand that I receive the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment?

Yes. According to EEOC guidance, when your employer mandates vaccination for protection against contracting COVID-19, administration of the vaccine is not a medical exam, nor does it seek information about your current health status or impairments. The EEOC’s interpretation allows your employer to demand that you receive the vaccine as a condition of employment. However, if your employer mandates COVID-19 vaccination, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation if you either cannot, or will not, be vaccinated for medical reasons or sincerely held religious beliefs. If you cannot receive the vaccination and you request an accommodation, keep in mind that your employer does not have to provide the specific accommodation that you request. Also, if your employer genuinely can’t come up with a reasonable accommodation, the likely result is termination.

Do I have ADA protection if my employer administers the COVID-19 vaccine ?

Yes. The pre-vaccination medical screening questions are likely to elicit information about your disability. According to EEOC guidance, when these questions are asked by your employer (this might happen in the healthcare context), they meet the ADA definition of a “disability-related” inquiry, and, as a result, you are entitled to ADA protection. The ADA requires that the disability-related screening questions be “job related and consistent with business necessity.” If you are concerned that your employer’s mandatory vaccination program does not meet this threshold, contact an attorney for advice.

Can I get fired if my employer requires a COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment, and I refuse to do so because of my disability?

You should not be summarily fired for refusing to get vaccinated because of your disability. Instead, your employer should determine if you, as an unvaccinated employee, pose a “direct threat” to the health and safety of yourself or others, and whether the threat can be eliminated or reduced by a reasonable accommodation. If your disability prevents you from being vaccinated and you request an accommodation, keep in mind that your employer does not have to provide the specific accommodation that you request. Also, if your employer genuinely cannot come up with a reasonable accommodation, you may be terminated.

To assess the risk of having you at the workplace unvaccinated, your employer must conduct an individualized assessment to determine whether your presence in the workplace creates a direct threat to yourself or others. According to EEOC guidance, a conclusion that there is a direct threat would include a determination that you, as an unvaccinated individual, will expose others to the virus at the worksite. If the individualized assessment results in a finding of direct threat, your employer should include you in an interactive process to determine if there is a reasonable accommodation that would allow you to continue to work.

As advised by the EEOC, your employer may lawfully exclude you from the physical workplace, but you should not be summarily fired, otherwise disciplined, or suffer retaliation for refusing the vaccination. Instead, your employer should evaluate whether an accommodation, such a teleworking, is an option. If there is no accommodation available, your employer should determine if you are eligible to take leave under federal, state, or local leave laws, including the Family and Medical Leave Act, or under the employer’s leave-of-absence policies.

Can I be fired if my employer requires a COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment and I am unwilling to get vaccinated because of my religious beliefs?

You should not be summarily fired if you refuse to get vaccinated based on your religious beliefs. If your religious beliefs prevent you from getting vaccinated, and you request an accommodation, keep in mind that your employer does not have to provide the specific accommodation that you request. Also, if your employer genuinely cannot come up with a reasonable accommodation, the likely result is termination.

It is important to notify your employer that your religious beliefs prevent you from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Given the breadth of the EEOC’s definition of religion, your employer is unlikely to question the nature of your beliefs, however, take note that your religious belief, practice, or observance that prevents you from receiving the vaccine must be sincere.

Once your employer is on notice, you must be provided a reasonable accommodation that allows you to continue work without receiving the vaccination unless the accommodation poses an undue hardship on your employer. Courts have defined “undue hardship” in this context as having more than a de minimis cost or burden on the employer. The determination of whether an accommodation is reasonable often turns on the nature of your job and your employer’s business. Depending on your job duties, your employer might allow you to continue to work wearing additional PPE or have you reassigned to an available position that limits interaction with others, including remote work.

If there is no reasonable accommodation that would allow you, as an unvaccinated employee, to continue your job it would be lawful for the employer to exclude you from the workplace. If there is no accommodation available, your employer should determine if you are eligible to take leave under federal, state, or local leave laws, including the Family and Medical Leave Act, or under the employer’s leave-of-absence policies.

Getting “RIF’d” During COVID-19

January 21st, 2021 by Sarah Ruhlen

Posted in COVID-19 In The New York Workplace, Workplace Rights |

Tags: Closings, COVID-19, employment attorney near me, employment law firm, employment lawyer near me, Furlough, Furloughed, Furloughs, labor attorney near me, labor law firm, labor lawyer near me, Laid Off, Layoffs, Plant Closings, workers rights attorney near me, workers rights law firm, workers rights lawyer near me

The pandemic has closed a lot of doors. Currently about 12.6 million people are unemployed in the U.S. Everyone who is still employed dreads getting the infamous Reduction In Force [“RIF”] or “pink slip.” Here’s what the Employer owes you under Federal and State WARN Acts if you get “RIF’d”:

The Federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act [“WARN”] (23 U.S.C. §2101 et seq.), generally, requires Employers with 100 or more full-time Employees to provide written notice to affected Employees, the State, and your Union president at least 60 days prior to a plant closing or mass layoff. Penalties for violations can include back pay and benefits for each Employee up to 60 days, as well as civil penalties. The deadline to file a lawsuit varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction (for more specificity, call a qualified labor and employment attorney in your jurisdiction!)

Now the bad news: Temps and strikers do not get WARN protection. A plant closing must involve at least 50 Workers at a single site, or a closing plus a layoff that, combined, affects 50 or more Workers. A mass layoff involves either 500 or more Workers at a single site during a 30-day period, or layoffs of 50-499 Workers at a single site if the layoffs affect at least 33% of the Workers at that site. A temporary layoff can trigger WARN obligations if it exceeds 6 months. A 50% or more reduction in hours for 50 or more Workers may also require an Employer to provide WARN notice.

Under normal circumstances, the New York State WARN Act [“NY WARN”] adds an additional 30 days to the notice requirement for some Employers, for a total required notice of 90 days. New York Labor Law §§ 860 et seq. NY Warn applies to businesses with only 50 or more full time Workers. Under NY Warn, the Employer must provide notice not only for plant closings and mass layoffs, but also if the plant is relocating, or if 25 or more Workers experience a 50% reduction in hours.

But on April 17, 2020, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 202.19, relaxing some of those requirements for Employers who initially laid off Employees (and complied with WARN the first time) and then hired them back after receiving Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. If Employers institute another round of layoffs after receiving PPP funding, they only have to provide notice “as soon as practicable.”

On November 11, 2020, Governor Cuomo signed an amendment to the NY WARN that additionally requires Employers to provide notice to chief officials of local government and school districts, and to every locality that provides police, fire prevention, EMS or ambulance, or other emergency services to the job site.

What about furloughs? Furloughs involve reduced hours or days for a finite amount of time. So whether a furlough triggers Federal or NYS WARN depends on its duration, how many Employees are affected, and how many hours are reduced. Under WARN, if a furlough originally intended to last three months is extended to seven months due to unforeseeable circumstances, the Employer has to give notice when it realizes it needs to extend the duration. Employers aren’t supposed to be able to play games with the timing and extent of their layoffs to avoid WARN obligations. It’s complicated, but there’s an “aggregation” rule that is supposed to stop Employers from gaming the system by implementing staggered layoffs.

Even if your layoff fits the above circumstances, there are some reasons the Employer may not be required to provide you notice: the notice period can be shortened or bypassed under three exceptions: the “faltering company” exception, the “unforeseeable business circumstance” exception, and the “natural disaster” exception.

The “faltering company” exception is available when advance notice to Employees would interfere with the company’s ability to obtain new capital or business that could help the company avoid a shutdown or layoff. 20 CFR §§639.9(a)(3)-(4). The Employer has to have a reasonable, good faith belief that the notice would interfere with, for example, its ability to secure a loan.

The “unforeseeable business circumstances” exception occurs when a “sudden, dramatic, and unexpected action or condition outside of the Employer’s control” causes a layoff or closure. 20 CFR §639.9(b)(1). For example, the unexpected cancellation of a lucrative contract could be an unforeseeable business circumstance. The unforeseeability is defined as “reasonable business judgment” at the time of the occurrence—not by a court looking at the situation in retrospect. An Employer is required to give as much notice as practicable when there is an “unforeseeable business circumstance” layoff.

The “natural disaster” exception applies if a layoff is directly caused by a natural disaster. 20 CFR §693.9(c). For example, if a tornado destroys a manufacturing plant, resulting in the Workers there being laid off, the exception applies. But if a tornado leaves the plant standing and wipes out a lot of other businesses, causing an economic downturn, the “natural disaster” exception does not apply because the tornado is not the direct cause of the lack of work.

A Florida court recently pondered whether the COVID-19 pandemic constitutes an unforeseeable circumstance, natural disaster, or special financial circumstance that would excuse an Employer from providing notice. In Benson et al. v. Enterprise, et al., the court concluded that COVID-19 might be a natural disaster, but that the layoff in question was not a direct result of the pandemic. 6:20-cv-00891 (MD Fla. Jan. 4, 2021). Thus, the Employer could not resort to the “natural disaster” exception. But the parties are still litigating –further discovery is required to determine whether the pandemic is an “unforeseeable business circumstance.” So, could a state ordering all businesses to close for three months constitute an unforeseeable business circumstance? You can bet your hat Employers will argue it does.

Bottom line, Federal and State WARN acts are designed to give you a little safety net in the event of an extended layoff or plant closing. It won’t make you rich, but it may help you get through the winter. If you think you’ve been RIFfed without proper notification, call a qualified labor and employment attorney in your jurisdiction to learn more about your rights.

Returning To Work During COVID-19

June 18th, 2020 by Sarah Ruhlen

Posted in COVID-19 In The New York Workplace, Workplace Rights | No Comments

Tags: Accommodations, ADA, COVID-19, EEOC, EFMLEA, FMLA, New York Paid Family Leave, New York Paid Leave, Reasonable Accommodations, Telecommuting, Telework

Please note that the information contained in this post is for informational purposes and is not to be considered legal advice. This blog post does not create or imply an attorney-client relationship. If you would like to discuss your particular circumstances with us, please set up a consultation by contacting the Satter Ruhlen Law Firm at 315-471-0405 or through our website (https://www.satterlaw.com/contact-us/). We look forward to walking you through your workplace rights.

It’s scary, or a relief, or a mixture of the two. The workplace now has cleaning requirements, PPE requirements, screening requirements, and social distancing requirements. You may have to take a test before you go in. You may be on staggered shifts with your co-workers, working at the office on some days and at home on other days. There are rules about who can be in different parts of the workplace and under what circumstances. There may be one-way hallways and closed breakrooms. The rules are changing every day, and it’s hard to know what you’re supposed to do and when. Here are some frequently asked questions facing employees these days:

Can my employer require me to take a COVID-19 test before allowing me to return to work?
- It depends on the type of test.
  - Antibody tests: On June 18, 2020 the EEOC updated its guidance in response to new CDC guidance stating that antibody testing should not be used to make decisions about whether an employee should return to work. If an employer is insisting that you take an antibody test in order to determine whether you should be allowed to return to work, call an attorney.
  - Viral tests: However, a viral test is still an acceptable return to work requirement, as it is job-related and consistent with business necessity.
  - Temperature checks: An employer can require employees to have their temperature taken prior to entering a workplace. However, if your employer insists on a particularly invasive temperature-taking method, call an attorney immediately.
  - Written tests: Many New York employers are required to have their employees certify that they are symptom free, COVID-free, and have not been in contact with a COVID case in the past 14 days. This may be a paper you sign when you arrive at the workplace, or the employer may require you to fill out an online form before you even start your commute. As long as these certifications only ask about your COVID-19 symptoms, whether you are COVID-19 positive, and whether you’ve been exposed, those certifications are allowed. If the employer is asking you other medical questions, call an attorney.
  - Watch this space. The rules are changing almost weekly. What was correct last week may not be correct this week. When in doubt, call an attorney.
- What’s the difference between an antibody test and a viral test?
  - Antibody tests involve blood work. They show whether someone has previously had the virus. The EEOC considers an antibody test a “medical examination” under the ADA. In light of the CDC’s guidance that state that antibody testing can produce false positives, the EEOC has deemed antibody tests as impermissible medical examinations or inquiries for current employees.
  - Viral tests check the mucus to detect if a person is currently infected and contagious. Viral tests can be achieved with swabs and are relatively non-invasive.
- What about a new employer?
  - If you have a conditional offer of employment, the employer is allowed to send you for a medical evaluation to make sure you are fit to perform the essential functions of your job, as long as the employer requires all new employees to undergo testing. Any medical exams are permitted between a conditional offer of employment and the employee’s start date.
  - An employer may delay the start date or withdraw the job offer if there is medical evidence that you are currently positive for COVID-19.
Can my employer make me wear a face mask?
- 99% of the time, yes.
- If you have a disability that precludes you from wearing a face mask, you will need to request a reasonable accommodation, which involves your doctor providing medical documentation of your condition.
- Be aware that COVID-19 is considered a “direct threat,” so if you have medical documentation showing that you cannot wear a face mask, and your job cannot be done remotely, the likely outcome is termination – not because of your disability, but because the employer can’t risk having you in the workplace without PPE.
What if a person in my home is at high risk of serious health problems due to COVID-19?
- The employer is not required to accommodate you due to the health conditions of a person in your household.
- If you cannot telework due to needing to care for a high-risk family member, you may be eligible for FMLA, EFMLEA, or New York Paid Family Leave. Note that these protections require medical documentation showing that the person needs you to provide care – so if the concern is simply that you don’t want to expose a person who is capable of caring for themselves, you might not have much luck getting time off under these statutes.
What if I am recovering from COVID-19?
- COVID-19 is considered a “serious health condition” for purposes of workplace law. As such, you may have accommodation and leave rights under the ADA, FMLA, EFMLEA, New York State Human Rights Law, and/or New York State Paid Leave [not to be confused with NYS Paid Family Leave, which gives you time off to care for other people].
- If you are recovering from COVID-19 and believe you are ready to return to work, or if you need some more time before you’re ready to return to work, your employer may need to get medical documentation from your health care provider. The employer is allowed to get information that will enable it to determine whether you can perform the essential functions of your job, whether more leave is warranted, and what, if any, accommodations it might be able to offer you.
- If you are concerned about returning to the workplace due to an underlying condition that puts you especially at risk, then it’s appropriate to ask for a reasonable accommodation. If your work can be done remotely, you may be able to get an accommodation that allows you to do telework.
- If your job cannot be done remotely, it’s likely the only accommodation an employer can offer is more leave. Do not ask for indefinite leave – an employer faced with a request for indefinite leave has an easy out for terminating your employment. Make sure your leave request has a definite end date. It is more difficult for an employer to deny a request for additional leave as an accommodation when there is a definite end date to the leave.

Reopening is a hopeful development for people who want to “get back to normal.” But, as continually repeated by the media, social media, experts, and politicians, there is no “normal” any more. You may find yourself returning to a very different workplace than the one you left. The majority of employers are trying to create workplace rules that keep workers safe – but you don’t have to let yourself be exploited in the name of workplace safety. The above guidance may help you navigate some common workplace pitfalls. When in doubt, call an attorney.

Be safe.

Getting Fired in Turbulent Times

June 6th, 2020 by Sarah Ruhlen

Posted in Workplace Rights |

Tags: Civil Rights, discrimination, First Amendment, Protesting, Retaliation, Workplace Rights

Please note that the information contained in this post is for informational purposes and is not to be considered legal advice. This blog post does not create or imply an attorney-client relationship. If you would like to discuss your particular circumstances with us, please set up a consultation by contacting the Satter Ruhlen Law Firm at 315-471-0405 or through our website (https://www.satterlaw.com/contact-us/). We look forward to walking you through your workplace rights.

It happens. When the public is already highly-charged with emotion, employees get fired. They get fired for good reasons, like getting caught being racist on camera or refusing to wear face masks. They get fired for bad reasons, like reporting discrimination. And they get fired for scary reasons, like getting arrested while engaging in peaceful protests.

This post isn’t about how to not get arrested at a protest.[1] If you are engaging in civil disobedience against state-sanctioned murder of people of color today, in all likelihood you have already weighed the pros and cons of making your voice heard versus being arrested for blocking traffic or disturbing the peace. These are the choices every person has to make for themselves.

This post is about what to do if your employer calls you on the carpet on Monday because they saw you protesting. Or because you got arrested. Or because they saw your facebook page.

First, unless your employer is a Government agency, remember that you do not have first amendment rights in the workplace.[2] In most cases, your employer can fire you for any reason or no reason at all.

That said, pay attention to what the Employer says and does. Is everyone who got arrested getting fired? Or just a subset, for instance, people of color or people from a particular nation? Are some people getting lesser penalties, such as suspensions? How about people who got arrested for counter-protesting?

If penalties for similar conduct split along racial lines, then start writing. Take copious notes. Note what the employer says to you and what the employer’s security guards say while they’re escorting you out. Write it all down. It might or might not be evidence of discriminatory intent (let the lawyer sort that out). When you get home, write up your observations in an email and send them to yourself.

Do’s…

Do call your Union Rep. If you’re in a Union, the “for cause” provision in your CBA is the strongest protection you have against politically-motivated terminations.

Do apply for unemployment benefits immediately.

Do call your criminal defense attorney and let them know that you may be asking them to communicate with your employment law attorney. (Your employment law attorney will probably need information such as whether you should be asserting the Fifth Amendment during any investigations by the State Division of Human Rights).

Do ask your defense attorney whether the conduct for which you were arrested was actually illegal or not. In the State of New York, you are not supposed to be fired for engaging in legal off-duty conduct.[3] So if you were actually not obstructing traffic or disturbing the peace, the employment law attorney needs to know that.

Do call an employment law attorney.

Do bring the employment law attorney your notes and any paperwork provided to you by the Employer.

Do tell the employment law attorney about any prior disciplinary actions taken against you during the course of your employment. The employment law attorney may be able to neutralize the effect of those disciplines, but can’t do it without all the facts.

Do bring the employment law attorney your notes about any previous discriminatory conduct or conduct that went negative after you reported discrimination. The attorney needs names, dates, and witnesses for each incident, and will ask you very specific questions about what precisely was said at what point.

…and Don’ts

Don’t take anything from the employer’s premises other than your own belongings. It is tempting to download all your emails and the files you were working on in an attempt to defend yourself. Don’t do it. That is the employer’s property and a vindictive employer will come after you for “stealing” it.
Don’t send emails from your work account to your personal account. Even if you’re not emailing yourself documents, it still “looks” like stealing, and it may give the employer an excuse to subpoena your personal devices.
Don’t sign anything. If someone is trying to pressure you into signing a severance agreement immediately, it may mean that they sense they are subject to liability.
Don’t give the employer a reason to fire you. Don’t talk back, use profanity, or engage in hostile or aggressive conduct. Stay calm and observe everything around you.
Don’t assume that the employer’s conduct is actionable. Don’t assume it’s not actionable. The employment law attorney is the expert. Let that person figure out the legalities of what the employer did.
Don’t let getting fired stand in the way of your continued activism. You are doing the hard work that citizens have to do in a democracy. And the other activists around you may know about jobs that don’t interfere with your work.

If you’re protesting today, your day job should be the last thing on your mind. Your primary concerns should be making your voice heard and staying safe. But if work gets crazy on Monday morning, the above steps may help you protect your workplace rights.

[1] If you’re out there today protesting, please make sure you know how to identify protest monitors and legal observers, and have a safety plan.

[2] If your employer is a Government agency, you have limited First Amendment rights in the workplace, and only in very limited circumstances will they protect you from being fired.

[3] Note the words “supposed to.” The reality of this prohibition is extremely messy and difficult to prove.

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