On August 21, 2024, the NLRB affirmed an administrative law judge (“ALJ”) decision and held in SFR, Inc. d/b/a Parkside Café, 373 N.L.R.B. No. 84, that employees who participated in Black Lives Matter (“BLM”) protests outside of work were not constructively discharged when they resigned because they did not
Austin McLeod
Austin D. McLeod is an associate in the Labor & Employment Law Department. Austin assists clients in a wide range of labor and employment matters, including litigations, administrative proceedings, internal investigations, labor-management relations and claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, defamation, and breach of contract. He represents clients in a variety of industries, including health services, professional sports, real estate, and finance.
Not So Fast: D.C. Circuit Resists Invitation to Reject NLRB Deference
On July 5, 2024, in Hospital de la Concepcion v. NLRB, the D.C. Circuit was the first federal appeals court to weigh in on deference afforded to the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) in the wake of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Loper Bright Enterprises, et al.
Sixth Circuit Panel Questions Board’s Emergency Pay Increase Ruling
On May 9, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit heard oral argument regarding the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) exception allowing an employer to unilaterally make decisions during an emergency. The Board sought court enforcement of its ruling that Metro Man IV LLC failed to notify…
New York Bans Mandatory Captive Audience Meetings
On September 6, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law (A6604 / S4982) a bill banning businesses from requiring employees to attend meetings or listen to communications where the “primary purpose” of such meetings or communications is for management to voice its views on certain religious…
Another One: The NLRB Revives Standard That Employees Are Protected When Advocating for Nonemployees
A slew of decisions that were pending before the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB” or the “Board”) have been issued at the end of August, coming at the close of Member Wilcox’s term. In American Federation for Children, Inc., 372 NLRB No. 137, a 3-1 majority reversed recent…
Board Rescinds Four Provisions to 2019 Election Rule Following Federal Appeals Court Vacating the Provisions
Thursday, the NLRB issued a notice to rescind four provisions from the Board’s Rules and Regulations contained in its Final Rule published in December 2019 (the “2019 rule”). The Board’s notice rescinding all four provisions, which were struck down by the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in January…
Board Invites Briefing on Potentially Overturning “Johnnie’s Poultry” Standard for Questioning of Employees About Putative Protected Activity
On Monday, the Board voted 3-1 to solicit a public briefing on whether it should overrule the Johnnie’s Poultry Co., 146 NLRB 770 (1964) safeguards employees must receive if they are questioned by employers about their own or another employees’ potentially protected concerted activity. Those safeguards include requiring the…
Union’s Efforts to Scare Employees From Participating in Employer Investigations Rebuked by the Board
On June 5, 2020, the NLRB held, in Teamsters Local Union No. 735-S (Bemis Co., Inc.), 369 NLRB No. 97, that union officials’ retaliatory actions against members who participated in an investigation resulting in the discharge of the union president violated the NLRA’s prohibitions against union restraint or…