When two or more employees act together, they have some protection under Federal law. The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) protects groups of workers who complain to their boss or talk to their coworkers about working conditions. The law is often used by workers who are organizing a union. If you don't have a union, this is one of the few times you have any protection at work.

You have some protection when two or more workers:

  • Sign or distribute a petition about working conditions;
  • Complain to their boss;
  • Talk to their coworkers about problems at work;
  • Compare their salaries (even if your boss has a rule that you can't talk about pay);
  • Talk about a union;
  • Contact a government agency (even if your complaint is not upheld);
  • Strike;
  • Distribute information about your rights at work.

If you decide to go to your boss, it is best for a group of workers to raise the issue together either with a petition, or speaking to your boss as a group. It makes it harder for your boss to single out one person. When at least two workers who are covered by the NLRA complain together, they are "acting in concert (together)" and they cannot be punished. If one employee tries to get his coworkers to join him in complaining, he is covered – even if the coworkers don’t join him.