Union Avoidance — Tip of the Week
During the recent Advanced Employment Issues Symposium in Las Vegas and Nashville, the Employee Free Choice Act was covered in some depth. Most agree that if this bill passes, there will be an uptick in union organizing – successful union organizing.
Although union avoidance training can get kind of dense sometimes, the primary tip for union avoidance is simple: paying attention to your employees and what they want. They want respect. They want to feel like an insider in the company. They want to freely give you their ideas and then hear back from you on what you think — positively or negatively. This involves regularly talking to your employees and listening to your employees.
The economic mess we find ourselves in right now makes the employment ground fertile for union organizing. It’ll be ripe for a bumper crop of union employees if the Employee Free Choice Act is passed. Don’t wait until it’s passed to start addressing your employees concerns. Start now. Keep it up. You’ll not only avoid a union, you’ll make your employees more productive. They’ll know they don’t need a union to have your ear.
About Chris Parker
Chris Parker's practice focuses on the representation and counseling of companies in matters pertaining to the workplace and the protection of their intellectual property and trade secrets. In addition to serving as an advocate for clients, Mr. Parker is also trained as a mediator and frequently serves as a third-party neutral.
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About Jimmy Daniel
Jimmy Daniel provides counseling to businesses of all sizes related to the employment relationship. He assists in the drafting of employment agreements, policies, and handbooks, as well as provides guidance related to compliance with federal, state, and local legislation such as the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
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About Larry Bridgesmith
While serving in an Of Counsel relationship with the firm, Mr. Bridgesmith also serves as the Executive Director at the Institute for Conflict Resolution at Lipscomb University and as an officer and principal in Strategic Resolutions Group, LLC. In these roles, Mr. Bridgesmith brings over 30 years of legal experience in dispute resolution and innovative workplace strategies to clients, students and business entities alike.
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