Labor Management Relations

The FTC Non-Compete Rule – It’s Finally Here (Almost)!

Yesterday, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that, next Tuesday, April 23, it will be releasing the final version of its proposed rule largely prohibiting employee non-competition restrictions. See FTC Announces Special Open Commission Meeting on Rule to Ban Noncompetes | Federal Trade Commission. The announcement will be preceded by a vote by the five FTC commissioners on whether to “authorize public disclosure of the proposed final rule.” Assuming that disclosure is authorized, which is expected, the FTC will present the rule and then vote to issue it. As of yet, there has been no indication whether the final rule will be the same as the proposed rule or, if not, what the changes will be.

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Don’t Labor Under New Laws

California is a state of perpetual motion when it comes to new and evolving employer regulations. While most of the 305 bills introduced in the last legislative session mentioning “employer” did not pass the Legislature, many did and were signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom. With that comes more rules and risks for employers dealing with non-compete agreements, anti-discrimination, Labor Code enforcement, workplace safety, leaves of absence and a plethora of minimum wage increases.

To borrow from Kelly Clarkson, “… what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, stand a little taller …”

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Key Takeaways From the 28th Annual Bernard Gottfried Labor Law Symposium

On October 19, 2023, Faegre Drinker Partner Ryan Funk gave remarks at the 28^th Annual Bernard Gottfried Labor Law Symposium, which was sponsored by the National Labor Relations Board, the Wayne State Law School, and the State Bar of Michigan. In his remarks, Funk critiqued three recent changes to the National Labor Relations Board’s remedial scheme.

Thryv, Inc.

Discussing Thryv, Inc., Funk voiced his concern that the labor law community was growing out of touch with workers, employers, and the public, and changing remedies in ways that hurt the overall mission of the agency.

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The New Critical Importance of a Union Request for Recognition

What does it mean if a union makes a “demand for recognition,” or “request for voluntary recognition” to an employer? What does a union mean when it says it has a “showing of interest” or “proof of majority support” or “majority status,” or that it has been “designated as Section 9(a) representative by the majority of employees in an appropriate unit”?

These magic words are now of critical importance to employers and their employees due to a dramatic change the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) announced on August 25, 2023, in how it interprets the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).

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NLRB GC’s Latest Guidance Expands Restrictions to Noncompete Provisions

The General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (the Board) issued new guidance announcing her position that certain noncompete agreements violate the National Labor Relations Act. Citing McLaren Macomb, the General Counsel urged the Board to adopt her position regarding noncompete agreements, arguing that the Board already embraced a similarly restrictive standard for analyzing the lawfulness of severance agreements.

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NLRB Adds Enhanced Penalties for Repeat Offenders

On April 20, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or the Board) added a new set of penalties to its remedial arsenal for employers who repeatedly or egregiously violate federal labor law. The new remedies supplement the expanded make-whole remedies and consequential damages established by the Board in its December 13, 2022, decision, Thryve, Inc.

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