Weingarten Rules
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Remember, you have the right to have a representative with you during any investigation/interview. Under the Supreme Court’s Weingarten decision, when an investigatory interview occurs, the following rules apply:
- Rule 1: The employee must make a clear request for union representation before or during the interview. The employee cannot be punished for making this request.
- Rule 2: After the employee makes the request, the employer must choose from among three options. The employer must either a) Grant the request and delay questioning until the union representative arrives and has a chance to consult privately with the employee, or b) Deny the request and end the interview immediately, or c) Give the employee a choice of 1) having the interview without representation, or 2) ending the interview.
- Rule 3: If the employer denies the request for union representation, and continues to ask questions, it commits an unfair labor practice and the employee has a right to refuse to answer. The employer may not discipline the employee for such a refusal.