In the last several months, the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) has attracted attention by issuing complaints against employers who disciplined or discharged employees for posting comments on Facebook or other social media criticizing the employer (see NLRB A ‘Twitter Over Employers’ Social Media Policies, and Social Media in the Workplace – The Social Media Policy). The NLRB asserted in each case that the employer violated the employee’s right to engage in protected concerted activity and to communicate with other employees about the terms and conditions of employment.

Now, however, in an Advice Memorandum dated July 7, 2011, the NLRB has emphasized that a key element in finding if an employer engaged in an unfair labor practice is whether the employee engaged in concerted activity (in contrast to an employee acting on his or her own).

In the facts underlying this memorandum, the employer discharged the employee for posting comments on Facebook critical to the employer and its customers. The charging party, a former restaurant bartender, had complained to his step-sister on Facebook that he had not received a pay raise in several years and that he was doing the waitresses’ work without receiving any tips. He also called the customers “rednecks” and that he hoped that they choked while driving home.

The Division of Advice directed that the charge should be dismissed because the charging party had not engaged in “concerted” activity. The test for concerted activity is whether the activity is with other employees or on behalf of other employees, and not just by or on behalf of the employee himself or herself. Group complaints or group action also qualifies.

Here, there was no concerted activity. Although the employee posted comments about his conditions of employment, he did not engage in discussions with co-workers about his comments. Additionally, there were no discussions with other employees to take this matter to company management or initiate group action to change the policy. The comments were simply to his step-sister. Thus, the NLRB concluded that the employer’s decision to discharge the employee (ironically notifying the employee via Facebook) was not an unfair labor practice.

In short, this recent guidance suggests that the NLRB will be focusing on the element of concerted activity in cases involving social media.

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Photo of Eric B. Sigda Eric B. Sigda

Eric B. Sigda is a shareholder in Greenberg Traurig’s Labor & Employment Practice. He represents management in litigating federal and state employment matters including claims involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, whistleblowing, Sarbanes-Oxley retaliation, breach of contract, wage and hour class actions, misappropriation of…

Eric B. Sigda is a shareholder in Greenberg Traurig’s Labor & Employment Practice. He represents management in litigating federal and state employment matters including claims involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, whistleblowing, Sarbanes-Oxley retaliation, breach of contract, wage and hour class actions, misappropriation of trade secrets and violations of restrictive covenants. Eric has handled matters in federal and state courts and in arbitration. He has also represented clients before various agencies including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the U.S. Department of Labor, and the New York State Division of Human Rights. He also regularly represents management in disputes with labor unions.

In addition, Eric counsels employers of all sizes on labor and employment matters such as family and medical leave, disability questions, employee handbooks, employee discharge and discipline, diversity and harassment training and contingent workforce issues.

He has wide-ranging experience reviewing, negotiating and preparing employment agreements.