In one of its first major decisions under its new Republican majority, the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB” or “Board”) has again rejected “setting-specific standards” for analyzing when offensive employee conduct loses the protection of the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA” or “Act”). In Lion Elastomers LLC, 375 NLRB
A More Tailored Approach: Second Circuit Rejects NLRB’s Dress Code Standard
By Joshua Fox, Daniel H. Dorson & Rachel Edelson on
On September 2, 2026, in Siren Retail Corp., d/b/a Starbucks Reserve Roastery v. NLRB, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit vacated and remanded the National Labor Relations Board’s (“NLRB” or “Board”) 2024 decision finding that Starbucks unlawfully prohibited workers at a Manhattan coffee shop from wearing…
On the Chopping Block: NLRB GC Issues Memorandum Detailing Policy Priorities
On August 26, 2026, NLRB General Counsel Crystal Carey issued Memorandum GC 26-04, following the historic trend from recent predecessors, indicating the NLRB precedent she has asked or will ask the Board to revisit. Newly appointed General Counsels often look to overturn decisions rendered by the prior administration, so…
When Is a Protest in the Workplace Not a “Workplace” Protest? NLRB Backs Microsoft’s Termination of Employees Who Organized Gaza Demonstration
Can employees be fired for organizing a protest at work that violates workplace rules if the protest isn’t actually about work? According to a recently released Advice Memorandum from the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), the answer may be yes. The NLRB’s Division of Advice concluded that Microsoft lawfully discharged…
HALTED: Federal Court Declares NJ’s Labor Peace Agreement Requirement Preempted by the NLRA
On August 10, 2026, Judge Michael A. Shipp of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey declared that the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”) preempts the labor peace agreement (“LPA”) requirement in New Jersey’s Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act (“CREAMMA”).
The ruling in Curaleaf…
Texas Court Clash: Do Unconstitutional NLRB Removal Protections Pause an Unfair Labor Practice Case?
A Texas federal district court has split with another Texas district court on a key question: when a court declares the National Labor Relations Board’s removal protections unconstitutional, can it sever the offending provisions and allow an unfair labor practice charge to proceed—or must the proceeding be permanently enjoined?
In…
UPDATE: D.C. Circuit Strikes Down NLRB Successor Bar in Major Post-Loper Bright Ruling
By Joshua Fox, Yonatan Grossman-Boder & Rose Farkish on
On July 21, 2026, the D.C. Circuit issued a significant post-Loper Bright decision rejecting the National Labor Relations Board’s (“Board”) successor-bar doctrine. In Hospital Menonita de Guayama, Inc. v. NLRB, No. 22-1163 (D.C. Cir. July 21, 2026), a divided panel held that the Board lacked statutory authority…