My question is can they prevent me from discussing work conditions at work? Is this protected right under National Labor Act 1935? It is not...

Question

My question is can they prevent me from discussing work conditions at work? Is this protected right under National Labor Act 1935? It is not interfering with work. I work manufacturing. My friends and I make our quotas each day. We don't talk more than a few minutes each day (far less than several others who talk for 20 minutes or more).

My background story is that I have discussed my concerns with HR.

I am concern with discrimination at work. It is not obvious. We received raises recently. We received different amounts and percentages. They claimed that they evaluated us by all management. I have requested to see that evaluation pertaining to me. They have been stalling. I suspect age discrimination due to it appears that all the younger employees received an higher amount and percentage despite some have really poor work performances.

I wanted to avoid filling a grievance report and not have done so as of yet.

Our management team likes to bully if you question anything.

To make things even more confusing, my company was bought by another company, then the other company with my company was sold to another. Thus, I am also trying to find out the procedure for filing a grievance report so, if I need to take the next step, then I can.

Answer

Generally, you and your coworkers are engaging in protected activity from what you have described. You started by asking a question and the answer is, so long as you and your coworkers do your work, are not disruptive to the operations of the employer, etc., you should be able to discuss work conditions without retaliation from the employer. See www.nlrb.gov.

Answer

Generally so long as employees are not disruptive to work operations they may discuss work conditions and not be subjected to employer retaliation. I suggest you google some of the search terms and review some of the many materials available online, but keep your focus on government publications as well as statutes and case law.

Tricia Dwyer Esq.

ph 612-296-9666

Tricia Dwyer Esq & Assoc PLLC

Minnesota Employment Law