Are employers allowed to require employees to attend work-related social functions?

In California, employers are allowed to require employees to attend work-related social functions, but with some important limitations. First, an employer must have a legitimate business purpose for asking employees to attend the event. An employer cannot just require attendance out of social convenience or to make employees feel obligated to stay late. Second, California employers must pay employees for all hours worked at the event. This includes time spent traveling to and from the event, as well as time spent at the event itself. Importantly, if employees are expected to attend the event in a volunteer capacity, they must still receive some form of compensation, such as an additional day off or a nominal fee. Finally, an employer cannot require employees to pay for any costs associated with the event. Employers must cover the cost of food, beverages, and any other related expenses. This applies even if the social function itself is voluntary. These restrictions ensure that employers do not take undue advantage of their employees when asking them to participate in work-related social functions. By adhering to the laws in California, employers will be able to continue to provide employees with valuable opportunities to network, build relationships, and represent their company at events.

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Are employers allowed to require employees to attend work-related social functions?

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