Slovak Mountain Hut Staff Required to Sign Media Silence Clauses in New Contracts

Staff at Slovak mountain chalets and huts are being required to sign new employment contracts containing so-called media clauses, which prohibit them from speaking publicly or to journalists about their workplace. The clauses extend beyond management and senior employees, now binding general personnel — including seasonal and support staff — to silence on matters relating to their employer. The practice raises concerns about freedom of expression in the workplace, as ordinary workers are legally restricted from discussing their working conditions or raising concerns publicly. Media clauses, which have become increasingly common in Slovak employment contracts, are typically used to prevent employees from sharing information that could be damaging to an organization's reputation, but critics argue their broad application to lower-level staff goes beyond legitimate business confidentiality and may suppress legitimate whistleblowing.