In this series, we will explore some of the ways states vary from one another in their employment laws.

Employers have cited several reasons why they might wish to prohibit certain employee off-duty activities. Some employers seek to prohibit off-duty use of tobacco, for example, to reduce health-related worker absences, to lower employee health insurance costs, and to build a stronger public image associated with a healthy lifestyle. However, several states have explicit employee protections that prevent employers from regulating off-duty activities.

Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, and West Virginia all have laws that explicitly pr

See Full Page