A California-based consumer organization has accused UnitedHealth Group of coercing its workers to listen to a seminar on healthcare reform legislation.

Consumer Watchdog released an internal email from the company which said, in part, "Health care reform is at a critical moment with the Senate considering proposed legislation. Join United for Health Reform for a status update on this important debate! United for Health Reform will be hosting a webinar on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 from 1:00-1:30 PM CDT to provide an update on the health care reform debate in Washington, D.C. ... As with all events held during business hours, please confirm your ability to attend with your supervisor."

"This demand that workers attend a virtual meeting about company lobbying messages, on company time, is political harassment," said Judy Dugan, research director for Consumer Watchdog, in a statement. "A later statement in the e-mail that participation is voluntary is a joke, after telling employees to 'confirm' participation with a supervisor."

UnitedHealth officials supplied a written response: "Given our role in the health care system and the importance of the reform debate, it is our responsibility to provide employees with opportunities to learn about the reform process, through forums such as educational webinars. In fact, many of our employees ask for this information. As with any other activity, when employees voluntarily take time during the work day to listen to the webinar, they of course should let their supervisors know they won't be working."