NRF opposes new joint employer rules

The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from Senior Vice President of Government Relations David French after the National Labor Relations Board issued its new rules concerning the joint employer standard under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).

“The NLRB’s new rules will have a detrimental impact on the retail community as it creates ambiguity within the employer-employee relationship, inhibiting both job growth and free enterprise.

“Retailers need a definitive line regarding joint employment, because they regularly contract with third-party businesses to provide a variety of services in areas involving their distribution centers, shipping and facilities maintenance and others. The partnerships between retailers and these specialty service providers are vital to the industry’s success.

“Simply put, the new standard is unclear, unnecessary and harmful to thousands of retail employers and the millions of Americans they employ.”

NRF submitted a comment letter in December 2022 formally opposing the proposed rules and urging the Board to retain the existing, workable standard.

As the leading authority and voice for retail, NRF will continue to oppose the imposition of these rules on the retail industry. As such, NRF is currently reviewing our legal options.