Category Archives: Labor Relations

A Triumph for Employers: D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Strikes Down NLRB Poster Rule

On May 7, 2013, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (“D.C. Circuit”) invalidated the National Labor Relations Board (“Board”) August 2011 rule requiring all employers subject to the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”) to … Continue reading

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The NLRB and Preserving Confidentiality in Workplace Investigations

The National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) reach into the non-union workplace has forced employers to consider revising numerous policies.  One of these policies involves confidentiality in workplace investigations.  In Banner Health Systems v. Navarro, the NLRB found that a blanket … Continue reading

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Keeping Unpaid Internships Legal

The season is upon us when college students and recent graduates seek out unpaid internships, looking for a way to gain “real world” experience, and a possible foot in the door, in an otherwise suffering labor market. While the prospect … Continue reading

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Supreme Court to Weigh In On Employees’ Changing “Clothes” More Than The DOL Changes Its Mind

Under the FLSA, 29 USC § 203(0), employees are not entitled to receive compensation for time that is spent “changing clothes . . . at the beginning or end of each workday.”  In other words, if donning and doffing work … Continue reading

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NLRB Scrutinizing Non-Disclosure and Non-Disparagement Provisions

It is a common practice for employers to require that employees sign agreements containing non-disclosure and non-disparagement provisions as a condition of employment to protect confidential and proprietary information and to protect the company’s reputation.  Recently, a NLRB Administrative Law … Continue reading

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Federal Appeals Court Ruling Calls Recent NLRB Decisions into Question

What if the decisions of the NLRB over the last year were suddenly deemed invalid?  While seemingly unlikely, a federal appeals court ruled last Friday that President Obama’s recess appointments, which date back to January 2012, were unconstitutional.  In Canning … Continue reading

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BRRRR- BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE

Yet another potentially “chilling” effect. Quicken Loans, Inc.’s mortgage bankers are required to sign an employment agreement containing provisions prohibiting  them from disclosing non-public information regarding the company’s business or personnel to any person, business or entity. This includes information … Continue reading

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WHAT LESSONS CAN BE LEARNED FROM THE RECENT NHL LOCKOUT?

The recent National Hockey League (NHL) lockout has ended and a deal has been reached, giving fans a chance to see some action, and giving business owners a chance to learn some important lessons regarding labor disputes. 1.  Don’t bargain … Continue reading

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NFL and Referee Union Still at a Deadlock

The National Football League (NFL or League) and the NFL Referee Union (NFLRA) are still at a deadlock as of Wednesday, September 26, despite the pressure NFL fans are placing on a resolution due to some questionable calls by the … Continue reading

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New Child Care Provider Unionization Law

On September 14, Governor Deval Patrick signed into law a seven year old Bill, H 2986, allowing child care providers the right to unionize. The new law allows family child care providers in Massachusetts the ability to collectively bargain with … Continue reading

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