Labor Law -- 2014



In re Purple Communications, Inc.   (NLRB)

Protecting employer email systems

The NAM and our association allies filed an amicus brief with the NLRB arguing that the Board should not create an exception for employer owned email from the longstanding rule that employees generally have no right to use employer-owned property, equipment, or materials for purposes of Section 7 organizing activities, as long as the employer’s restrictions on such usage are not discriminatory. There is no discrimination in keeping the use of employer email systems restricted to legitimate business purposes and there are many alternatives available for these communications.

On December 11, 2014 the NLRB issued a decision the Purple Communications, Inc case. The 3-2 decision overturns the 2007 Register Guard case, and holds that employees now may use email for union-related communications during nonworking time. The NAM filed a brief with the NLRB arguing against this possible outcome.


Related Documents:
NAM brief  (June 16, 2014)