Whether searching for a recipe on the internet, checking email or watching an online video, a lot of people in Rhode Island probably interact with Google every day. The tech giant might make life easier in some ways, but some employees say that the company does not treat its workers well at all. The company has faced multiple lawsuits alleging things like discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation, and it is now facing a complaint that it violated multiple labor laws.
The U.S. National Labor Relations Board filed the complaint, claiming that Google regularly engages in illegal labor practices against its employees. According to the complaint, Google blocks its workers from sharing workplace complaints and other information with one another, specifically with tools such as email, calendars, meeting rooms and internal communication tools. Additional complaints against the company include:
- Illegal spying on workers
- Retaliation for attempts at unionizing
The NLRB initially launched its investigation after four employees were interrogated for sharing business information with other workers, and then fired. Shortly after this incident another worker was fired for creating a pop-up notification on an anti-union consultant’s website. Google had apparently hired that specific anti-union consultant agency.
Regardless of how some employers may act, Rhode Island workers have protections in the workplace. Those who are not familiar with their rights might not be sure when an employer’s actions cross the line, though. This is why it may be helpful to seek guidance from a knowledgeable attorney when dealing with potential discrimination or retaliation.