Overreaching in Aisle 2? Union Discounts Grocer's Social Media Policy

In a closely watched case that could impact employees' use of social media, the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board alleging that the Stop & Shop grocery chain's social media policy is "impermissibly vague, overbroad and violated Section 7 rights of employees" that protects the right to organize and bargain.

The Union represents 5,500 Stop & Shop employees at 45 stores in and around New York City. The petition alleges that Stop & Shop enacted the social media policy without consulting the union, a violation of collective bargaining rights, while forbidding employees from disclosing confidential information (such as salaries) on sites like Facebook and Twitter.

The policy also prohibits employees from discrediting the store's practices or products on their personal social media posts. Furthermore, according to legal counsel for the Union, Patricia McConnell of Meyer Suozzi English & Klein, the policy requires employees to report colleagues’ violations whereby workers face disciplinary action — up to and including termination.Continue reading...