Agencies attack employee speech restrictions (Part 3)

Ater Wynne LLP
NW Law frim

Such restrictions are common in agreements resolving employment disputes. Indeed, many companies would not think of entering into a settlement in which they were not assured that the affected employee(s) would comply with the company’s confidentiality policy, maintain confidentiality of the fact and/or terms of the settlement, and refrain from disparaging the company. While policy considerations associated with settlements are arguably different from those associated with other employment practices attacked by the agencies, the employment rights at issue are largely the same. If the courts embrace the positions held by the EEOC and NLRB, employers may start to see both current and former employees challenge undesirable settlement terms by filing suit or administrative charges, or raising the issue as a defense to enforcement. Either way, if the courts invalidate such terms, employers will have a lot less incentive to settle.

Given the likelihood that agencies will continue to scrutinize both employment policies and settlement terms, employers should review all of their policies and agreements that may impact employees’ exercise of employment rights under the NLRA and Title VII. These can include policies addressing confidentiality, use of the Internet, email, and social media, disparagement, and general conduct policies (e.g., no gossip and professionalism policies) that purport regulate employee speech. Employers will need to balance the risks and benefits of including such terms going forward.

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