Executive Summary: Recently, the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB” or “the Board”) issued a press release detailing an increase in labor activity this year. Compared to this time last year, the Board has seen an exponential rise in representation petitions and unfair labor practice charges. This increase in labor activity coincides with the Biden Administration’s push to limit employers’ right of free speech and revive automatic recognition. As the labor landscape shifts, employers must shift their focus to preparation and training. Now, more than ever, executives and managers must know their rights and responsibilities under the National Labor Relations Act (“the Act”).
Archives for July 26, 2022
White House Pushes OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Initiative
As thermometers hit their peak, the White House is touting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) heat illness prevention efforts to “protect millions of workers from heat illness and injury.”
Michigan Court Voids State’s Minimum Wage and Paid Medical Leave Acts, Creating Compliance Limbo
Citing legislative “sleight of hand,” the Michigan Court of Claims has held that the Michigan legislature violated the state’s Constitution when, in 2018, it adopted and then immediately amended ballot initiatives to increase the state’s minimum wage and to require employer-paid sick leave.
San Francisco Paid Public Health Emergency Leave Effective October 1, 2022
On July 7, 2022, voters in San Francisco, California voted in favor of Proposition G, a paid public health emergency leave. The ordinance becomes operative on October 1, 2022 and updates the original Public Health Emergency leave ordinance. Prop G expanded the scope of paid leave from COVID-19 to additional areas where paid leave is required. Additionally, Prop G has reduced the employee count threshold for covered employers as described below. Further, this ordinance is in addition to any paid leave employers provide for their employees. San Francisco’s Office of Labor Standards Enforcement (SF OLSE) is expected to develop additional guidelines and rules.
Biden Rule Would Strengthen Health Protections for Gay and Transgender People
The proposed rule would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity by health care providers that receive federal funding.
Why Employee Mediations Fail — and How to Get Them Back on Track
Four strategies for managers.
Bosses are oblivious to why employees are really quitting. Here’s what they need to know
“Literally me,” a friend DM’d me recently. The message came attached to a tweet of a story I’d written about how job seekers are anxious to land new gigs before the turbulent economic landscape becomes even more uncertain.
Hung jury in case of officers who used the “N-word” then sued chief for racial discrimination
The jury ended up deadlocked Friday in U.S. District Court. The case was unique. Two police officers, one white and one Black, sued their Black chief saying he racially discriminated against both of them.
Fired Kansas City area teacher sues, claiming discrimination as white, male Christian
A former Harrisonville science teacher fired a year ago for allegedly making racist comments in the classroom contends in a federal lawsuit that the district discriminated against him when it terminated his employment.
Portland settles lawsuit, pays $93,000 to former fire paramedic who alleged employment discrimination
The city of Portland last week settled a lawsuit brought by a former Fire & Rescue employee who alleged a decade’s worth of employment discrimination that he says forced him to resign his dream career.
A Wicked Problem: Balancing Work And Time For Workplace Optimization
As early as the industrial revolution, one particular math problem has faced businesses worldwide, of all sizes, in all industries.
Trader Joe’s workers set to vote on forming a union
Justice Department and National Labor Relations Board Announce Partnership to Protect Workers
Agencies Will Enhance Enforcement Efforts Through Greater Coordination and Information Sharing, Cross-Agency Training and Outreach
Why tech workers are quitting great jobs at companies like Google to fight climate change
As the sense of urgency around climate change is increasing, some tech workers are ditching their ultra-desirable, high-paying tech jobs to work at companies fighting climate change.
Want to lay off workers more smoothly? There’s a startup for that
You might have heard about the fintech company Klarna, whose CEO recently played a prerecorded video at an all-staff meeting to tell his employees that many of them were about to be laid off.