NLRB Acting General Counsel Lafe E. Solomon offered some insight into the NLRB’s interest in Social Media earlier this month when he spoke at the Annual Conference on Labor at New York University. During his presentation, Solomon revealed that every one of the 52 NLRB regional offices across the country has at least one pending
social networking
Addressing Social Media Use–Recent Ruling on Students’ Social Networking Reaffirms Need for Policies and Training
The pervasiveness of social media in professional and everyday communication is a hot button issue (discussed at length here), particularly for private and public employers and organizations. In fact, many organizations have adopted, or are considering adopting, social media policies for employees and providing training for how employees should interact in cyberspace. But what…
NLRB Continues to Focus on Social Media
With the Wall Street Journal reporting that the NLRB has more than two dozen cases involving worker complaints aired on the social media site Facebook, the Board is struggling to address some of the issues social media creates in the workplace.
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Ban On Employer Demands For Worker, Applicant Website Passwords–Maryland
The Maryland Senate recently referred Senate Bill 971 which prohibits Maryland employers from demanding that workers and job applicants turn over their passwords to specific websites or web-based accounts. 
Under the bill, employers would be prohibited from refusing to hire applicants and disciplining, terminating, or taking other adverse employment action against employees who refuse to provide…
Resigtered Nurse Fired for Facebook Posting While Treating Patients
Registered nurse terminated for posting on Facebook while dispensing medication to a patient loses unemployment claim. Reason: employers’ written electronic communication policy.
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NLRB Focus Remains on Social Media
Seemingly intent on making sure it is perceived as current, if not trendy, today’s National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has continued to demonstrate an avid interest in social media. Not only is it paying attention to new media in all its forms, but it is also actively participating, with a Facebook page, a YouTube…
“Tagged” Facebook Photos Admissible as Evidence
Trying to keep up with the fast-moving world of social media, the Kentucky Court of Appeals has ruled that “tagged” or captioned photographs posted on Facebook may be admitted as evidence. The ruling in the case has implications for employers. In LaLonde v. LaLonde, the appellant-wife objected to the trial court’s admitting into evidence photographs…
Ex-Employee’s Blogs Can’t Be Stopped Absent Extraordinary Circumstances, New York Court Rules
A NY court refuses to order a former employee to stop blogging about his former employer because the court could find no extraordinary circumstance that would overcome constitutional protections, despite the individual’s signing an agreement during his employment to maintain the confidentiality of confidential business information.
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The Army Embraces Social Media
Our adversaries are trolling social networks, blogs and forums, trying to find sensitive information they can use about our military goals and objectives. Therefore, it is imperative that all Soldiers and Family members understand the importance of practicing good operations security measures.
-Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston
The above quote is contained…
A New NLRB May Mean New Concerns Regarding Social Media
The combination of “social media” and the “workplace” raises many traps for the unwary employer:
Can we use social media when hiring? Can employees be prohibited from using social media at work? Can we monitor employees use of social media? What are the essential elements of a social media policy?
As with many…