The New Haven Register reports that “the largest grocery workers union in the state of New York has filed federal charges against Ahold and Stop & Shop Supermarkets, accusing them of implementing a social media policy that violates federal labor laws ... The union is charging Ahold/Stop & Shop of having a social media policy so broad that it could lead to censorship and other First Amendment violations.”
Stop & Shop responded: “"The guidelines simply remind associates that what they post on social media sites may be available to others and that they should keep in mind reasonable guidelines when they elect to post information about themselves, co-workers, customers, or the company online. The guidelines themselves inform associates that their rights under the National Labor Relations Act are protected, even on-line, and that the guidelines would not be used in a way that violates those rights. Stop & Shop does not wish to interfere with the private lives of its associates, even when they are on-line. Stop & Shop does not request associates to give it access to their social media sites.”
Stop & Shop responded: “"The guidelines simply remind associates that what they post on social media sites may be available to others and that they should keep in mind reasonable guidelines when they elect to post information about themselves, co-workers, customers, or the company online. The guidelines themselves inform associates that their rights under the National Labor Relations Act are protected, even on-line, and that the guidelines would not be used in a way that violates those rights. Stop & Shop does not wish to interfere with the private lives of its associates, even when they are on-line. Stop & Shop does not request associates to give it access to their social media sites.”
- KC's View:
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Not sure exactly what the facts of the social media policy are, but I thought one of the smartest things I’ve seen a retailer say about this issue was actually posted here on MNB earlier this week by the executive who said that he likes it when his employees use social media tools like Yammer, even to complain.
“Last I checked, if it's available...use it.. I found that one can gain more information by listening and reading then ‘imparting knowledge that you think is important’...”
Wise words.
