On March 22, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board’s (“NLRB”) General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo issued Memorandum GC 23-05 (the “Memo”), which provides additional guidance on the recent NLRB decision in McLaren Macomb, 372 NLRB No. 58 (2023).

As we recently reported, McLaren held that employers violate the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”) when they merely offer non-supervisory/management employees, both union and non-union, severance agreements that contain overly broad confidentiality and/or non-disparagement provisions.

The Memo, which was issued to “assist Regions [of NLRB offices] in responding to inquiries from workers, employers, labor organizations and the public about implications stemming from that case,” responds to some common inquiries regarding the impact of the McLaren decision. Among other things, the Memo makes clear the following:

  • Severance agreements are not banned outright.
  • Whether or not the employee actually signed the severance agreement is irrelevant for purposes of finding a violation under the Act since the proffer itself is inherently coercive.
  • While supervisors generally are not protected by the NLRA, it would be violative for an employer to retaliate against a supervisor who refuses to proffer to an employee an unlawful separation agreement.
  • McLaren applies retroactively to agreements proffered before February 21, 2023.
  • Agreements generally should not be found to be void in their entirety because they include unlawful provisions, even if the agreement does not include a severability clause.
  • Disclaimer language regarding rights afforded under the NLRA in the agreement may not necessarily cure overly broad provisions.
  • Confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions that are narrowly tailored may be found lawful. 

While the Memo provides Abruzzo’s opinion on many frequently asked questions, others remain. Employers should review the Memo, found here, in order to educate themselves on how the NLRB is going to apply and interpret McLaren going forward (in the absence of an appeal and further direction from the courts, which may be yet to come).

Murtha Cullina attorneys are available to assist you with revising your severance agreements in accordance with the new rules and will continue to follow and report on any further developments regarding this decision.

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Photo of Emily McDonough Souza Emily McDonough Souza

Emily McDonough Souza is an Associate in the Litigation Department and the Labor and Employment Practice Group of Murtha Cullina LLP.  Her experience includes representing clients in a broad range of disputes involving insurance coverage, business torts, and contractual rights, as well as…

Emily McDonough Souza is an Associate in the Litigation Department and the Labor and Employment Practice Group of Murtha Cullina LLP.  Her experience includes representing clients in a broad range of disputes involving insurance coverage, business torts, and contractual rights, as well as representing employers in claims involving discrimination and retaliation, breach of non-compete and restrictive covenants, and wage and hour violations.  Emily has regularly appeared on behalf of clients in both state and federal court matters, including oral arguments, mediations, depositions, and pretrial conferences.

Prior to joining Murtha Cullina, Emily clerked for the Honorable Eliot D. Prescott of the Connecticut Appellate Court.  She received her J.D. magna cum laude from Quinnipiac University School of Law, where she served as the Executive Managing Editor of the Quinnipiac Law Review. Emily earned her B.S. magna cum laude from the University of Connecticut, where she was a member of the Honors Program.

Photo of Salvatore G. Gangemi Salvatore G. Gangemi

Salvatore G. Gangemi is a Partner in the Litigation Department of Murtha Cullina and a member of the Labor and Employment Practice Group. He advises clients with respect to state, federal and local employment laws. In addition, he litigates matters involving misappropriation of…

Salvatore G. Gangemi is a Partner in the Litigation Department of Murtha Cullina and a member of the Labor and Employment Practice Group. He advises clients with respect to state, federal and local employment laws. In addition, he litigates matters involving misappropriation of trade secrets, restrictive covenants, breach of employment contract, fiduciary duty, and other work-related common law claims. Sal also counsels clients on day-to-day issues involving workplace management and administration, including requests for reasonable accommodation for disabilities, for family and medical leave, and wage and hour issues.  He conducts employment law training on a variety of topics, including sexual harassment prevention and wage/ hour compliance.  He also drafts employment policies and agreements, and assists clients in auditing worker classification practices and policies both in the context of the Fair Labor Standards Act and state laws governing independent contractor determinations.

Photo of Patricia E. Reilly Patricia E. Reilly

Patricia E. Reilly, Chair of the Labor and Employment Practice Group, is an experienced litigator who represents clients in a wide range of cases including, employment discrimination and related torts, non-compete and restrictive covenants, wage and hour, breach of contract, unfair trade practices…

Patricia E. Reilly, Chair of the Labor and Employment Practice Group, is an experienced litigator who represents clients in a wide range of cases including, employment discrimination and related torts, non-compete and restrictive covenants, wage and hour, breach of contract, unfair trade practices, and business disputes. In addition to maintaining a thriving litigation practice, Tricia counsels clients on a variety of employment-related issues including hiring, firing, and discipline; wage and hour; state and federal FMLA; sexual harassment investigations and prevention; Title IX; pregnancy and disability accommodation; and avoidance of employment discrimination liability.

Tricia is listed as a leading Labor and Employment Lawyer in Chambers USA.  She is listed in Best Lawyers in America®, and in 2017, Best Lawyers in America® recognized her as “Lawyer of the Year”, New Haven, Litigation – Labor and Employment. Tricia is a member of the American Bar Association, the Connecticut Bar Association and the New Haven County Bar Association.  She received her B.A. from Wesleyan University and her J.D. from University of California, Berkeley School of Law.