Alaska Bars Mandatory Meetings on Religious or Political Matters

Alaska voters have approved a ballot measure that prohibits employers from taking adverse action against employees because they refuse to attend an employer-sponsored mandatory meeting that communicates the opinion of the employer about religious or political matters. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.

The Details

Employers are prohibited from taking or threatening any adverse employment action against an employee because the employee refuses to attend or participate in an employer-sponsored meeting or declines to receive or listen to communications from the employer if it is to communicate the opinion of the employer about religious matters or political matters.

The law defines “political matters" as those relating to elections for political office, political parties, proposals to change legislation, proposals to change regulations, proposals to change public policy, and the decision to join or support any political party or political, civic, community, fraternal, or labor organization.

Under the law, “religious matters” are defined as those relating to religious affiliation and practice and the decision to join or support any religious organization or association.

Exceptions

The law doesn’t:

• Prohibit communication of information that:
• Prohibit an institution of higher education from conducting meetings or participating in any communications with its employees concerning any symposia, research, or academic program.
• Prohibit a religious organization from requiring its employees to attend an employer-sponsored meeting or participate in any communication with the employer for the purpose of communicating the employer's religious beliefs, practices, or tenets.
• Prohibit employers from requiring executives to listen to information about the employer.

Next Steps

• Review policies and practices to ensure compliance with the changes.
• Train supervisors on the new law.