I don't have any choice but to attend diversity training. Do I have any rights in this matter?

Question: I am concerned that my employer's stand on gay issues and "diversity" is being forced on us and becoming more and more political. We do not have a choice but to attend their "training". Don't I have any rights in this matter? Thank you for your time!

Answer: There probably is not a lot you can do about this. In general, your employer can legitimately ask you to attend training as it deems appropriate. If you have a bona fide religious belief that prevents you from attending training on the subjects that are covered in the training, then you might be able to ask to abstain from attending the training. If your objection is political then I think it will be more difficult to be excused from the training.

If you work for a public employer (that is, for federal, state or local government rather than a privately-owned business), then you likely have more rights to speak out about this issue (because of the First Amendment free speech guarantee) than you would if you work at a private business.

However, in either case remember that if you are in North Carolina and you do not have a written employment contract for a specific term then you can be disciplined or fired by an employer for not attending required training.

I hope this helps, and good luck.