The DOL, NLRB and EEOC Join Together to Fight Retaliation

The three major federal agencies governing the workplace – the Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission – announced a joint initiative to raise awareness about worker protections from retaliation for exercising their rights under federal labor and employment laws. According to the announcement, through Memoranda of Understanding, the agencies will collaborate to protect workers, educate the public, and engage with employers and other groups.

As the announcement notes, many workplace issues cut across multiple agencies. In the past, however, an investigation by one agency typically would not trigger involvement by other agencies. The new agreements, however, mean that an agency may inform another if it sees retaliation issues that fall within the other’s jurisdiction. Employers may therefore face greatly expanded potential liability from governmental investigations.