As legal professionals around the globe grapple with the evolving landscape of employment laws, a recent development from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) adds a new layer of complexity. The NLRB, the U.S. agency responsible for enforcing federal labor laws, is putting employment handbooks under increased scrutiny.
The handbook in question, provided to employees by their employers, typically contains a myriad of workplace policies. Important topics covered can range from the confidentiality of business information, to the use of cell phones during work hours, to protocols surrounding employer internal investigations. Often these handbooks explicitly regulate behavior such as the taking of pictures and recordings at work, or the making of negative comments about the company.
Employers should note that these long-standing practices may now be viewed in a new light by the NLRB. This calls for a thorough review of these handbooks, with an eye towards ensuring compliance with the new inspection parameters from the regulatory board. It further suggests that companies should proactively revise and update their policies, to reflect not only the letter but also the spirit of the laws being enforced by the NLRB.
This increased scrutiny lodged by the NLRB can potentially have far-reaching effects, particularly for large corporations and their employed legal professionals tasked with safeguarding the company from legal pitfalls. Therefore, being proactive and staying abreast of these expanding definitions and assessments is of paramount importance.
More on this development can be found in the comprehensive analysis provided in this article by Foster Swift Collins & Smith, hosted on JDSupra. Click to read more.