In a recent decision, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) struck down an employer’s work rule that prohibited employees from recording workplace meetings and conversations without management approval, finding that such a policy could prevent employees from engaging in protected activity, which is protected by Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). In […]
On March 18, 2015, the NLRB General Counsel issued a report concerning recent cases that raise significant legal and policy issues regarding employee handbook rules. Recently, the NLRB has been focusing on non-union employer’s handbooks and whether they violate Section 7 of the NLRA, which permits employees to discuss wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of […]
On July 14, 2014, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (“EEOC”) issued updated enforcement guidance regarding the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (“PDA”) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) as they apply to pregnant workers. The EEOC’s guidance discusses a number of issues related to pregnancy discrimination and other pregnancy related issues and provides insight into […]
Recent activity by the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) suggests that the Board may overturn a 2007 landmark decision in which it held that employees have no statutory right to use their employers’ electronic communications systems for non-business purposes, including union organization and other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual […]
Spring is finally here! Like household cleaning, it is also important to do spring cleaning in the workplace. Spring is a great time for employers to audit their human resources policies and procedures to account for recent changes in state and/or federal law and to find and correct potential problems before they turn into costly […]
On April 8, 2014, Governor Scott Walker signed into law the Wisconsin Social Media Protection Act (the “Act”). 2013 Wisconsin Act 208. The new law, which went into effect on April 10, 2014, Wis. Stat. § 995.55, prohibits employers from requesting an employee or an applicant to grant access to, allow observation of, or disclose […]
As “e-cigarettes” grow in popularity, employers must decide how to address the use of e-cigarettes in the workplace. Electronic cigarettes or “e-cigarettes” are battery-operated devices that deliver nicotine or other substances to its user in the form of a vapor that is then inhaled. Many e-cigarettes are manufactured to look just like everyday objects that […]
The Wisconsin Legislature recently enacted major changes to Wisconsin’s unemployment insurance laws, a number of which will become effective on January 5, 2014. The most significant changes include an expansion of what conduct constitutes “misconduct” and establishes a new standard of “substantial fault,” which if proven, can temporarily disqualify an employee for unemployment insurance benefits. […]
To maintain its relevancy and expand the scope of its authority, the NLRB continues its attack upon non-union employers’ policies. This time the NLRB has positioned its cross-hairs upon employers’ “at-will” employment policies or statements. Most non-union employers include within their employee handbook a statement that employees’ employment is “at-will,” meaning either the employee or […]
