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Premiers On-Demand July 28, 2023 on PRISMtv for 24/7 access - no registration needed

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Presented by:  Patricia Eyres, Managing Partner, Eyres Law Group

Balancing the Constitutional Rights of Government Employees with Performance of their Official Duties: How to Manage Lifestyle, Personal Appearance, Freedom of Expression and Association Without Inviting Lawsuits

Tattoos, body piercings, and religious insignias have the power to offend or intimidate co-workers, business partners and members of the community.  Discrimination claims based on body art, physical appearance (including clothing styles that may be perceived as inappropriate for the particular individual, by acceptable for others), “new age” religious practices, gender identity and other privacy/personal issues are on the rise.  

On top of that, there are mounting conflicts over how to handle situations where the constitutional rights of government employees may conflict with their performance of official duties. Several high profile cases working their way through the courts and this webinar will explore those cutting edge issues and provide guidance for public entity employers for current management practices and anticipated future trends.  

It is well established that students do not lose their constitutional rights when they step through the school hours doors. What about government employees when they report to work? Do their constitutional rights of association, religious liberty, freedom of expression, or freedom of association or political affiliation take a “back seat’ to their performance of official duties? If so, where do the courts draw the line and how should a public entity employer manage when employees assert conflicts between their personal beliefs and their job duties?  

This webcast will address the latest issues and trends and provide concrete guidance on policy development and enforcement in the following areas:  

• Key elements of a lawful appearance and behavior policy  
• Where can your agency draw the line on body art or visible symbols and controversial clothing that public employees want to wear to work, and in the community?  
• What if lifestyle choices by employees actually hinder or endanger agency operations?  
• Sexual orientation, gender-identity, physical appearance: privacy do’s and taboos.  
• National origin and religious discrimination issues in the context of personal beliefs, on duty fulfillment of duties and off duty  
• Pornography in the workplace or transmitted electronically  
• Regulating off duty behavior – what’s lawful and what’s not?  
• How to have the difficult discussion with an employee who violates appearance, hygiene, or conduct policies  
• Special issues for disciplinary actions  

Need More Info or Help?
We hope you can join us. Feel free to contact Doug McGill for more details.

Phone: 916-850-7300
Email: dmcgill@csac-eia.org