(a) An employer, either personally or through an agent or representative, may not take or threaten to take adverse employment action against an employee because that employee refuses to:
- (1) attend an employer-sponsored meeting, the primary purpose of which is to communicate the employer's opinion about religious matters or political matters; or
- (2) listen to communications, the primary purpose of which is to communicate the employer's opinion about religious matters or political matters.
- (b) An employer found to violate (a) of this section is liable for the employee's lost wages resulting from the employee's decision not to participate or any adverse employment action taken as a result.
(c) This section does not prohibit:
(1) an employer or its agent or representative from communicating to its employees information the employer is required by law to communicate;
- (B) necessary for an employee to perform the employee's job; or
- (C) directly related to, or relevant to, the workplace.
- (2) an institution of higher education or its agent or representative from communicating to its employees coursework, symposia, or an academic program;
- (3) a requirement that an employer's executive personnel listen to communications about the employer's business;
- (4) a bona fide religious organization from requiring its employees to attend an employer-sponsored meeting or participate in any communication with the employer or the employer's agent, representative, or designee for the primary purpose of communicating the employer's religious beliefs, practices, or tenets.
- (d) The provisions of this section do not apply to informational meetings otherwise required by local, state, or federal law.
(e) In this section,
- (1) "political matters" means matters relating to elections for political office, political parties, candidates, proposed legislation or regulations, and the decision whether or not to join or support a political party, or political, civic, communal, fraternal, or labor organization;
- (2) "religious matters" means matters relating to religious affiliation and practice and the decision whether or not to join or support a religious organization or association.