As an employee, it is important to be able to recognize when your employer is engaging in unfair labor practices. Being able to recognize these practices is the first step in taking action to stop them, but how can you know what an unfair practice is? When even major companies can take part in these unfair labor practices, every employee should know the types of these practices. Here are five types of unfair labor practices include:
Preventing union matters
Employers cannot interfere with the employee’s right to organize, join, aid, or participate in a union, regardless of how the employer feels about it. This type of unfair labor practice is important to uphold, as unions can also help protect employee rights.
Discriminating against employees because of union activity
Employers cannot take any discriminatory action against employees as a way to either promote or discourage involvement with labor organizations. This includes discrimination involving denial of hiring, maintaining employment, or any facet of an employee.
Refusing to bargain
Even if an employer is not supportive of a labor union, they still need to participate with them in certain matters. A company needs to engage in bargaining with representatives, recognize the majority union, refrain from taking unilateral actions, provide necessary information to the union, sign agreements they consented to, and be willing to bargain without attaching conditions.
Retaliation for going to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
The NLRB is a federal agency that protects employee rights. If your employer takes any discriminatory action against you for going to the NLRB with a grievance, they are engaging in unfair labor practices.
Formation or administration interference
Just as a company cannot interfere with employees engaging in employee actions regarding unions, they also cannot interfere with the creation or management of those unions.
How can you protect your rights?
When employers infringe your rights as an employee, speak to an experienced employee rights attorney right away. A skilled attorney who knows the law can help protect you and your coworkers, so be sure you are doing everything in your power to combat unfair labor practices.