NLRB Adjusts Reimbursement Calculation for Unlawfully Discharged Employees

By Natalie Russell.

In a recent decision issued by the National Labor Relations Board (the “Board”), King Soopers, Inc. and Wendy Geaslin, persons who were wrongfully terminated may receive full reimbursement of search-for-work and interim employment expenses. Case 27-CA-129598 (2016). For over 80 years, the Board has awarded search-for-work damages. However, the Board’s traditional calculation of these damages failed to make a dischargee whole because the search-for-work damages were considered offsets to a dischargee’s interim earnings. This meant that if a dischargee spent more money searching and relocating for an interim job than they actually earned at that job, they would only be repaid up to the amount of the interim wages they earned. Id. at 5. In King Soopers, Inc., the Board found that the traditional approach, which limited the damages, not only “fail[ed] to make victims of unlawful discrimination whole . . . [but also] discourage[d] discriminatees in their job search efforts.” Id. at 5.

Faced with the challenge of balancing fairness to the wrongfully terminated with the authority granted to the Board through Section 10(c) of the National Labor Relations Act (the “Act”), the Board concluded that it has “ ‘broad discretionary’ authority to order remedies that will ‘effectuate policies’ of the Act.” Id. at 3 (quoting NLRB v. J.H. RutterRex Mfg., 396 U.S. 258, 262–63 (1963)). The Board not only has a duty to the wrongfully terminated, but also must create deterrents so that employers are discouraged from engaging in unlawful and discriminatory conduct. Id. at 3. By granting make-whole relief in the form of full reimbursement of search-for-work and interim-employment damages, the Board has fulfilled its duty.

The story of Juana Perez is a primary example of the positive impact make-whole relief will have on the wrongfully terminated. Ms. Perez worked at a location, earning $1,000 per month prior to her unlawful discharge. In seeking interim employment, Ms. Perez spent $6,000 on relocation costs, training, and job searching. She ultimately found employment, earning $750 per month for two months. Under the Board’s traditional reimbursement approach, Ms. Perez would receive only $1,500 because the search-for-work expenses would only be offset against the interim earnings. Id. at 5. However, under the new make-whole formula, Ms. Perez would be reimbursed for the full $6,000 of search-for-work expenses, regardless of how much she earned from her interim employment.

By providing full reimbursement of search-for-work and interim employment benefits, the Board assures that the wrongfully terminated employees are made whole.

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