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What I've Been Reading This Week


I unfortunately had a rather busy week in the office and little spare time to read through articles.  Although the article on the NLRB Chairman was well worth a read (and a good follow up on my recent post about the topic) & one that I think readers would find to be quite insightful.

As always, below are a couple articles that caught my eye this week.


EEOC Brings Suit After Alleged Unlawful Ebola Virus Termination

Recently, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ('EEOC') brought suit against the owner of a Massage Envy franchise location after he terminated an employee out of fear that she would bring back the Ebola virus after she went to Ghana to visit her sister.  Apparently, the employee was given the choice to either cancel her trip or face termination.  When the employee refused to cancel her trip, she was apparently subsequently terminated, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  I have to say, this is quite an interesting case and one that I would be curious to see play out.


NLRB Chair Miscimarra Not Expected to Be a Friend of Unions

A few weeks ago, President Donald Trump appointed Philip Miscimarra Chairman of the National Labor Relations Board ('NLRB').  Although Miscimarra had been Acting Chair previously, this move was seen as a sign that the Trump Administration was beginning to implement its expected pro-employer stance on labor issues.  Valerie Bolden-Barrett at HRDive.com wrote an article recently in which she suggested that NLRB Chair Miscimarra is likely to now start taking steps to roll back pro-union measures and decisions that came from the NLRB during President Obama's tenure.  How successful that plan will be (and how long it takes to accomplish) remains to be seen...especially considering President Trump has not had a chance to appoint pro-employer Board Members yet. 

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