Maine Employee Freedom of Speech Protections Enacted

Effective August 28, 2023, employers cannot fire, discipline, or penalize an employee because they:

• Declined to attend an employer-sponsored meeting discussing the employer’s religious or political opinions;
• Declined to receive employer-sponsored information about the employer’s religious or political opinions; or
• Reported a violation of these protections.

 

The law does not apply to a religious employer nor do the protections prohibit employers from:

• Communicating legally required information;
• Having religious/political meetings or communications so long as they’re completely voluntary for employees to attend or receive; or
• Notifying employees about any information that’s necessary for the employee’s job duties.

 

Action Items

• Employers must conspicuously post a workplace notice of these employee rights by September 28, 2023 (30 days from the effective date).