United States: National Labor Relations Board reminds employees’ rights regarding social media

Facebook, Twitter, blogs and other e-novelties didn’t exist in 1935 when the agency was created.  However, NLRB representatives think they are perfectly able to deal with this new issue.  Last fall, they looked into the case of a woman employed by an ambulance company in Connecticut, American Medical Response.  She was discharged for posting negative comments about a supervisor on her Facebook page, writing that he was a “lunatic.”  Regardless of the word used, the NLRB representatives decided that the conversations between this employee and her colleagues were “protected” by law because they aimed to improve working conditions in the company.  “It's the same as talking at the water cooler,” said Lafe Solomon, the board's acting general counsel. "The point is that employees have protection under the law to talk to each other about conditions at work.”  Before even going to the administrative court, the NLRB and American Medical Response found a compromise and the company changed the rule that prevented discussing the company on Facebook.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

rd’s acting general counsel. “The point is that employees have protection under the law to talk to each other about conditions at work.” Before even going to the administrative court, the NLRB and American Medical Response found a compromise and the company changed the rule that prevented discussing the company on Facebook.

The legal framework applicable to the e-sphere is nevertheless not totally clear. Another case is coming up. The NLRB representatives got in touch with the management of T

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
France: Pay transparency implementation deadlines could be eased
With the 7 June 2026 transposition deadline for the EU Pay Transparency Directive fast approaching, French social partners have yet to see the draft legislation implementing it. The delay has...
16 February 2026
Estonia: minimum wage to rise by 6.8% from 1 April
On 16 February, employers and unions reached an agreement to set the gross monthly minimum wage at €946 in 2026. This represents a 6.8% increase, which should come into effect on 1 April. The...
16 February 2026
France: La Poste signs first agreement on older workers
On 28 January, La Poste signed an initial agreement with three trade unions (CFDT, CGT, FO) on senior employees, focusing in particular on quality of life at work, skills transfer, and equal...
EU: trade unions express concern over 28th legal regime for companies
The proposed “28th regime” — a single European legal framework for innovative companies — was discussed at the informal European Council on 12 February. “We all agree...
13 February 2026
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
2026 TRENDS — Tackling skills shortages and mismatches
mind HR is analysing the trends that will shape 2026. Skills shortages have become a central challenge for businesses, reflecting deep-seated shifts in the labour market as roles evolve rapidly...
2
France: Medef publishes guide to support career transitions and retraining
France's largest employer federation Medef has provided its regional representatives with a practical guide designed to support career transitions and retraining. Structured around three key tools...
6 February 2026
3
EU: Commission wants to facilitate entry of international ‘talent’
In a recommendation published on 29 January, the European Commission calls on member states to take a series of measures to attract and retain international talent. It targets holders of skilled...
4
France: 2026 budget expected to maintain employer contribution relief
On 19 January 2026, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu decided to invoke Article 49.3 of the Constitution to pass France's 2026 budget without a vote in the National Assembly. Three days...
5
EU: Cyprus unveils its six-month presidency programme
Cyprus has set out its priorities for its six-month presidency of the Council of the EU. On the social front, the centre-right government will focus on the Union of Skills, which aims to boost...
6
Informal economy and slow wage growth hamper decent work, ILO says
The International Labour Organisation published its Employment ans Social Trends 2026 on 14 January. It anticipates unemployment stabilising in 2026 and employment growth of 1%, driven by...