Weingarten Rules
Under the Supreme Court's Weingarten decision, when an investigatory
interview occurs, the following rules apply:
Rule 1.
The employee must make a clear request for union representation
before or during the interview. The employee cannot be punished
for making this request.
Rule 2.
After the employee makes the request, the employer must choose from
among three options. The employer must either:
| a. |
Grant the request
and delay questioning until the union representative arrives
and has a chance to contact privately with the employee; or |
| b. |
Deny the request
and end the interview immediately; or |
| c. |
Give the employee a
choice of: (1) having the interview without representation or
(2) ending the interview. |
Rule 3.
If the employer denies the request for union representation, and
continues to ask questions, it Commits an unfair labor practice and
the employee has the right to refuse to answer. The employer may not
discipline the employee for such a refusal.
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