By Vanessa Rogers and Dani A.Sanchez

Seyfarth Synopsis: Because of the current political and social climate, employers are seeing increased political activity by employees at work and on social media—from wearing masks with political and social messages to posting on Facebook about protests and elections. Across the country, employers face unique challenges in managing political expression. Our panel of
Continue Reading Virtual Panel Discussion – Employee Political Speech at Work and on Social Media: Legal & Practical Considerations

By Ashley Laken

Seyfarth Synopsis: The NLRB’s Division of Advice recently released an Advice Memorandum finding that a security company’s work rules were unlawfully overbroad, but that the company did not violate the National Labor Relations Act by discharging one of its employees for posting an insidious Facebook video or by filing a defamation lawsuit against two former employees.

Earlier

Continue Reading NLRB Publishes Advice Memo Finding that Company Maintained Unlawfully Overbroad Work Rules But Did Not Violate NLRA By Discharging Employee for Facebook Video or Filing Defamation Suit Against Two Former Employees

By Samantha L. Brooks and Karla Grossenbacher

Seyfarth Synopsis: Employees’ use of their personal social media accounts in ways that could impact an employer’s business present challenges to employers.

In this case, a Maryland state government employee claimed that she was retaliated against for a Facebook post where she referred to a Maryland gubernatorial candidate as an “a**clown.” In
Continue Reading Maryland State Government Employee’s Job Duties Reinstated after Demotion Following Facebook Post

By Brian A. Wadsworth

Seyfarth Synopsis: In her appeal to the Fifth Circuit, Plaintiff Bonnie O’Daniel argues that the trial court wrongly concluded that it was unreasonable for O’Daniel to believe that a complaint about discrimination based on sexual orientation constituted a protected activity. The EEOC recently joined the fray by filing an amicus curiae brief, which argues that
Continue Reading EEOC Argues that Sexual Orientation Discrimination by a Heterosexual Person can Constitute a Protected Activity

By Esther Slater McDonald, Paul Yovanic Jr. and Thomas E. Ahlering

Seyfarth Synopsis: In light of the uncertainties surrounding lawsuits alleging violations of the Illinois Information Biometric Privacy Act (BIPA), the Northern District of California has taken a firm position on a plaintiff’s Article III standing. U.S. District Judge James Donato delivered opinions in In re Facebook Biometric Info.
Continue Reading California Federal District Court Does Not ‘like’ Facebook’s Standing Argument in Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act Case

Seyfarth Synopsis: Wishing you a wonderful holiday season. 

As we begin the traditional start of the holiday season and before the crush of the end of the year is upon us, we wanted to take a moment to thank you – the readers of the Employment Law Lookout Blog – for your loyal readership and feedback.  We strive to
Continue Reading Thankful (and Bonus Social Media Privacy Legislation Desktop Reference)

By Hillary J. Massey and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: While employees who have recently taken leave may be terminated for legitimate reasons, establishing a non-retaliatory termination can be challenging. The timing of the termination alone can support causation, and even a well thought out and justified termination may raise issues of fact that would prevent quick resolution in court.
Continue Reading 11th Circuit Reminds Employers: Proceed Cautiously When Terminating Employees Shortly After FMLA Leave

By Ashley Laken

Seyfarth Synopsis: NLRB affirms ALJ’s ruling finding that a union member’s criticisms on Facebook of the union that represented him were protected by the NLRA.

On February 7, 2017, in Laborers’ International Union of North America, Local Union No. 91, 365 NLRB No. 28, the National Labor Relations Board affirmed an NLRB administrative law judge’s
Continue Reading NLRB Finds Employee’s Facebook Posts Critical of Union Protected

By Erin Dougherty Foley and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: A new NLRB decision that attempts to define further the boundaries of protected speech under the NLRA.

In Laborers’ International Union of North America and Mantell, Case No. 03-CB-136940 (NLRB September 7, 2016) the initial question in the case was whether the Union restrained or coerced Frank Mantell
Continue Reading NLRB Administrative Judge Finds Employee Facebook Post Was Protected Speech

By Scott Rabe and Samuel Sverdlov

Seyfarth Synopsis: With seemingly every employee having access to a smart-phone or other recording device, employers without strong social media policies may be placing themselves at greater risk of creating workplace incidents that could be avoided. 

Just a few weeks ago, a video leaked of Los Angeles Lakers rookie, D’Angelo Russell, recording teammate, Nick
Continue Reading Off the Record? Workplace Perils of Video Recording and Social Media