Work Rules/Handbooks Language: New Quick Reference Chart Added

Author: Melissa Gonzalez Boyce, XpertHR Legal Editor

Work rules and employee handbooks are a critical and effective way for employers to convey to employees the manner in which they should conduct themselves in the workplace. However, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) continues to scrutinize policies it deems overbroad and restrictive of an employee's right under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) to engage in protected concerted activity. In a March 18, 2015, report, the NLRB released guidance to non-union and union employers and addressed whether certain policies would be reasonably construed to prohibit or otherwise restrict employees from engaging in activity protected by the NLRA. The report also included examples of unlawful and lawful policies.

To help employers ensure compliance with the NLRB's rules and interpretations, XpertHR has added a Work Rules/Handbooks - Examples of Lawful and Unlawful Language chart to the Quick Reference Tool. This chart addresses work rules/handbook policies and examples of unlawful and lawful language, as drawn from the NLRB report. The chart also includes helpful links to relevant policies in the Policies and Documents Tool as well as handbook statements in the Employee Handbook Tool.