CONTACT
W-2s are now available! For access, please visit the W-2 section of MyFrankCrum
blog-logo
Receive our blogs in your inbox

HR tips from industry experts.

Risk Management & Compliance

Workers Plan to Protest Trump's Policies in 'May Day' Demonstration

Thousands of service workers across the country are planning to walk off the job today, May 1, 2017. The demonstrators are protesting President Donald Trump's policies, including his stance on immigration. May 1st, also known as "International Workers' Day," is a traditional day for labor activism.

The National Labor Relations Act protects workers who engage in lawful concerted activity for purposes of mutual aid and protection. However, political protests about broad government action without specific workplace concerns may not be protected. This is where it gets complicated for employers. To find out whether the NLRA would protect your employee's absence, and it's not recommended you do this, you'd have to ask your employee specifically why they took part in the protest. Unless the employee points back to a workplace issue the employer arguably has control over, the protest may not be a protected absence.

Since it's such a grey area, we suggest treating the absences the same way you would in any other circumstance. You may consider having a contingency plan in place so operations are not disrupted if employees don't show up.

I had a chance to go in depth with Al Ruechel at BayNews9 about the best way for employers to handle potential May Day protests and other situations like it that may arise.

 
If you have any questions about the best way to handle a specific employee situation, don't hesitate to contact our HR experts.
 
Partner with FrankCrum Contact a Specialist
David Peasall, VP, Human Resources
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
David Peasall, VP, Human Resources

David Peasall joined FrankCrum in 2010. Since that time, he has served as the Vice President of Human Resources. Serving in the Army, he began his 20+ year career in human resources and benefits administration and has held several management positions within the corporate and public human resources environments overseeing employee benefits sales and administration, recruitment, compensation, employee relations, organizational development, and compliance. He has the nationally recognized designation of Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), PPACA certification from NAHU, and a Bachelor’s degree from Barry University with a dual major in Human Resources Management and Health Services Administration. He has written for the Society for Human Resources Management, HR Insight, Proyecto Magazine, and for online publications in the restaurant and health care industries. While not at work, this Florida native loves spending time with his family, preferably boating, fishing, and diving the beautiful waters of Florida.