The idea of using social media in the workplace is a very 21st-century problem — one that many previous generations would have never had to deal with. In many aspects, social media defines parts of our lives. It is a way to document how we feel about certain things and a way to connect with …
The woman who was infamously fired after giving the middle finger to President Trump has lost her wrongful termination case. A Virginia judge tossed Juli Briskman’s lawsuit, finding no First Amendment protection for private sector employees. The ruling was not unexpected. In general, private employees are not shielded from repercussions for their words or actions, …
Woman Who ‘Flipped Off’ President Loses Termination Lawsuit Read More »
Juli Briskman was on her own time, riding her bicycle, when President Trump’s motorcade drove by. She expressed her personal feelings with a middle finger salute, not realizing that a news reporter had captured her gesture on camera. She abruptly lost her job after the photo went viral on social media. Her employer, a government …
She gave the President the finger. Employer gave her the boot. Read More »
A Republican party that survives through voter suppression may be replicating its model in the workplace. In December, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) invited public commentary on a possible revocation of a rule that makes employers provide union organizers with contact information for workers in advance of a representation election. Ostensibly, the Board, which will almost certainly …
Republicans Are Taking Voter Suppression to the Workplace Read More »
After President Donald Trump and others attacked the free speech rights of athletes, the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) responded to the president’s comments. NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith said: The peaceful demonstrations by some of our players have generated a wide array of responses. Those opinions are protected speech and a freedom that has been paid for by …
NFL Players Association Responds to Attacks on Free Speech Read More »
In a closely watched case, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals held yesterday that a “Like” on Facebook is a form of speech that is protected under the First Amendment. In doing so, it kept alive a lawsuit brought by an employee who claims he was fired for supporting an political candidate who was running against his boss. The WSJ Law …
A “Like” is a Like, Court Says, and is Protected Free Speech Read More »
Where I work, we get donuts on payday Friday. At one law office in Florida, workers go to happy hour after work. They all wear the same color shirt so they look like a group when they go out for happy hour. A lot of places get crowded for happy hour on Friday nights, so …
Law Office Fires 14 Workers for Wearing Orange Shirts Read More »
A series of rules have been proposed recently by the National Labor Relations Board that improve the rights of workers on the job. The rule changes by the NLRB have been hailed by organized labor as great triumphs that will promote the right to organize. But some question whether the regulations go far enough. In …
Do the New NLRB Rules Really Help Workers Organize? Read More »
Madeline Messa is a 3L at Syracuse University College of Law. She graduated from Penn State with a degree in journalism. With her legal research and writing for Workplace Fairness, she strives to equip people with the information they need to be their own best advocate.
