Facebook Policies Tricky for Employers, Workers
Confusion about how much employers can limit speech on social networking sites like Facebook had led to an increase of complaints filed at the National Labor Relations Board. Employers are trying to craft policies that do not infringe on the rights of employees, while also protecting their own interests. The NLRB has found that speech about working conditions on Facebook was protected as concerted activity. The law says that workers can talk with each other about their jobs and working conditions, including on social networking sites. There are currently more than 100 cases around this issue pending before the Board, and employers say that they are waiting to see how far the NLRB will extend protections.
See "Facebook Policies Tricky for Employers, Workers", Sam Hananel, ABC News, September 26, 2011