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September 9, 2015

Legal News

LEGAL UPDATE
September 9, 2015

September 2015 NEWSLETTER

Dear valued clients and supporters: This month's newsletter will focus on: (1) the NLRB's restatement of the joint-employer standard, expanding the right to unionize; (2) the New York City ban on employers using or requesting credit information of employees and job applicants; and (3) Businesses' need to keep trade secrets safe, methods for protecting them, and actions to take when they are misappropriated.

NLRB Expands Right to Unionize

Under the National Labor Relations Act, employees have the right to collectively bargain (unionize) only against their employer. The joint-employer doctrine recognizes that in circumstances where two separate entities each have the right to exercise a certain degree of control over a set of employees' working conditions, that both entities should be considered employers. In a recent decision, Browning-Ferris Indus., the NLRB "restated" its standard for evaluating the existence of a joint-employer relationship in a way that expanded its scope. The decision particularly impacts the franchise industry.  (FULL ARTICLE)

NYC Ban on Employer use of Credit Information

As of September 3, 2015, NYC employers will be prohibited from using or requesting the consumer credit history of an applicant or employee pursuant to Local Law 37. Under the new law, it will be considered an unlawful discriminatory practice to ask applicants or employees about their credit information, such as their credit score, missed payments, and collections. Any use of such credit information with regard to hiring, compensation, or the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment will also be considered an unlawful discriminatory practice. Employees and applicants who suffer credit discrimination will be protected by New York City Human Rights Law, which allows them to file a claim against the employer and seek compensatory and punitive damages, as well as discretionary costs and attorney's fees. Employers should be aware of this development and work with their counsel to ensure their employment practices are not in violation of this new law.  (FULL ARTICLE)

Trade Secrets

Trade Secrets are the key to many business's success, especially in the absence of a patent or other forms of intellectual property protections in place. Proprietary information that entities exclusively know and use is what allows them to compete in their industries. When trade secrets become publicly known or known to a competitor, an entire business may be at stake. That is why any business that operates in reliance upon trade secrets must take specific precautions to limit the number of people who access such information and to place restrictions on those with whom it is shared. Requiring employees to agree not to disclose trade secrets and to follow certain protocols when accessing or using trade secrets is vital to a business's security. When a business shares its secrets with potential investors or partners, the interaction should be subject to a non-disclosure agreement. Security measures are the front line defense against the leaking of trade secrets, and imposing affirmative obligations not to disclose or use trade secrets gives businesses specific remedies against those who misappropriate their proprietary information. (FULL ARTICLE)

Readers are encouraged to follow us on Twitter (@OutsideLegalLLP) and Facebook to receive updates on these and other issues throughout the month.

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