From lapel pins to lanyards to slogans on uniforms, employees are bringing social causes to work, and HR is left balancing expression, inclusion, and workplace order. A recent federal court decision involving a “BLM” message on a Home Depot apron shows where those boundaries start to take shape. TL;DR: On…
Articles Posted in Unions (labor relations)
Boss’s Politics, Union Talk, or Religious Views? NJ Says You Don’t Have to Listen
When employees clock in, they expect to do their jobs, not sit through political speeches, anti-union campaigns, or religious lectures from their boss. New Jersey just turned that expectation into a legal right. TL;DR: On September 3, Governor Murphy signed A4429/S3302 into law. It bans “captive audience” meetings, meaning mandatory…
🎯 Trump’s NLRB Picks Could Change the Rules for Many Workplaces
President Trump has nominated Scott Mayer and James Murphy to serve on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). If the Senate confirms them, it would give the Board a quorum—enough members to start issuing decisions again—and likely shift the Board’s direction to more pro-employer outcomes. TL;DR: Trump just nominated two…
No Cause? No Problem. Supreme Court Foreshadows Political Purge
The Supreme Court appears ready to give the President what amounts to a blank check to fire a Senate-confirmed member of the National Labor Relations Board — no cause, no hearing, no due process. Just “You’re fired,” in an 11 p.m. email. TL;DR: On May 22, 2025, the Supreme Court…
Samuels Sues Over EEOC Ouster as Supreme Court Benches NLRB’s Wilcox
A major legal battle is unfolding over whether President Trump had the power to fire two Senate-confirmed officials from independent federal agencies. One is Jocelyn Samuels, formerly of the EEOC. The other is Gwynne Wilcox, who had just started a second term on the NLRB. Their cases are raising serious…
WILCOX IS BACK: A Legal Drama with More Twists Than Daytime TV
First, she’s out. Then, she’s back in. Then out again. Then reinstated. This isn’t just a legal battle—it’s giving daytime drama. TL;DR: Gwynne Wilcox is back on the NLRB after a D.C. Circuit ruling found her removal likely unlawful. The decision relies on a 1935 Supreme Court precedent that limits…
Three Judges, Two Agree, One Big Question: Can the President Fire an NLRB Member?
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals just put a stop—at least for now—to a judge’s order that would have reinstated Gwynne Wilcox to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). President Trump removed Wilcox before her term ended, citing concerns with her decisions favoring unions. A lower court said the firing…
Trump Rescinds Biden’s Labor Orders: What It Means for Federal Contractors
On March 14, 2025, President Trump revoked two significant Biden-era executive orders, bringing major changes to federal contracting policies: Executive Order 14026 (Increasing the Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors) – Issued by President Biden in 2021, this order raised the minimum wage for federal contractors to $15 per hour, with…
NLRB Back in Action: Understanding the Wilcox Decision and What It Means for Employers
A federal court yesterday struck down President Trump’s attempt to fire National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) member Gwynne Wilcox. The decision restores the NLRB’s ability to function—but more importantly, it sends a clear message about presidential power and labor law. Here’s what happened, why the court ruled against Trump, and…
You’re Fired! (Or Are You?): The NLRB Drama Heads to Court
Last week, former President Trump made headlines (and blog posts) for firing Gwynne A. Wilcox, Chair of the National Labor Relations Board, even though her term was set to last until 2028. This week, Ms. Wilcox sued to get her job back. Here’s what’s happening and why it matters for…