Description

In today’s charged social and political environment, employee speech is no longer confined to the breakroom—it’s on social media, in protest movements, and even in the dress code. For nonprofit leaders, navigating this terrain requires a nuanced understanding of legal boundaries, organizational values, and employee rights. 

This 1-hour virtual session will provide nonprofit employers with a clear, practical guide to managing employee expression in a volatile climate. Drawing from the latest insights, we’ll explore six real-world scenarios that challenge conventional thinking about free speech, workplace conduct, and employer discretion. 

Topics include: 

• Off-Duty Viral Rants: What happens when an employee’s personal post sparks public backlash? Learn how state laws and federal protections like the NLRA may limit your response. 
• Political Debates at Work: Discover how to distinguish between protected workplace discussions and disruptive or discriminatory conduct—and how to respond consistently and legally. 
• Walkouts and Protest Absences: Understand when political walkouts are protected “concerted activity” and when they’re not—and how to prepare for disruptions. 
• Dress Code Disputes: Explore how messaging on clothing and accessories can trigger legal risk if policies are unevenly enforced or ideologically biased. 
• “Free Speech” Challenges: Clarify the common misconception about First Amendment rights in private workplaces and how to educate staff on what protections actually apply. 
• Managerial Political Speech: Learn how political commentary from supervisors can create legal exposure and how to set boundaries for leadership communication.

Key Takeaways: 

The difference between free speech and job-protected speech—and why it matters 

How to assess the impact of employee expression on your mission, operations, and team dynamics 

Steps to ensure fair, consistent enforcement of workplace policies across all viewpoints 

How to train managers to intervene neutrally and avoid injecting personal politics into the workplace 

What legal protections exist for off-duty conduct, and how to avoid missteps in discipline 

Whether your organization is responding to internal tensions or proactively preparing for future challenges, this session will help you build a thoughtful, legally sound approach to employee speech. 

Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to: 

✅ Audit and update policies on political expression, social media, and dress codes

✅ Train managers to handle political tensions respectfully and neutrally 

✅ Monitor enforcement for bias and consistency 

✅ Prepare for protest-related absences and disruptions 

✅ Seek legal counsel early in high-risk or high-visibility situations 

This session is ideal for nonprofit executives, HR professionals, and team leaders seeking clarity in a complex and fast-changing landscape.

Nonprofits First, Inc is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER:

Vanessa Coe is an attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County in the Non-Profit Legal Assistance Project where she focuses her time advising nonprofit agencies on legal issues in the areas of employment law, human resources, compliance and board governance. A graduate of Nova Southeastern Law and University of Florida, Vanessa started her career defending the rights of migrant and seasonal guest workers throughout Florida. Prior to joining the Non-Profit Legal Assistance Project, Vanessa acted as the employment attorney at Legal Aid litigating on behalf of low-wage workers in Palm Beach County.