On March 24, 2026, the Lithuanian Supreme Court (LAT) issued a significant decision altering the perspective on employee expression limits in labor law. The court ruled that the duty of employee loyalty cannot be interpreted so broadly as to effectively prohibit expressing beliefs on matters not directly related to job performance.
Employee Expression and Loyalty
This decision implies that internal company policies and ethics codes should be reviewed and adjusted to ensure they do not infringe on employees' right to expression. This is particularly relevant for managing reputation crises and dismissal risks. Employers are advised to consult legal experts to avoid potential litigation.
Impact on Internal Policies
Reviewing internal policies can be beneficial to ensure compliance with the LAT decision. Companies should consider conducting a mini audit to quickly assess their labor law guidelines.
How Will This Affect Companies?
This decision grants employees more freedom to express opinions without fear of being deemed disloyal. However, employers should clearly communicate expression limits to prevent potential disputes.
Learn more about changes in labor law from the article Labor Code Changes from 2026: What You Need to Know.
If you need assistance with labor law issues, we recommend seeking professional legal consultation.