Concerted Activity and Social Media: Why Facebook Is Nothing Like the Proverbial Water Cooler

Authors

Natalie J. Ferrall

Document Type

Comment

Abstract

Social media is an increasingly powerful platform for expression. In late 2009, the National Labor Relations Board began to address the extent to which unionized employees could make disparaging comments about their employers on social media websites. To date, the Board has persisted in treating Internet communications the same as traditional, face-to-face interactions between employees. Additionally, the Board continues to apply dated precedent to current social media cases. This Comment argues that the Board's present approach is inadequate to address the distinct qualities of social media and sets forth recommendations for alternate ways to evaluate employee speech.

Recommended Citation

Natalie J. Ferrall Concerted Activity and Social Media: Why Facebook Is Nothing Like the Proverbial Water Cooler, 40 Pepp. L. Rev. Iss. 4 (2013)
Available at: https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/plr/vol40/iss4/4