Stericycle vs. Teamsters Local 628

Court: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Date: 2023

Issue on Appeal: Whether workplace rules governing employee conduct can be deemed unlawful under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) based on a broad interpretation of how employees might reasonably construe those rules.

RLC’s Position: The RLC argues that overly expansive interpretations of workplace policies under the NLRA create significant uncertainty for employers. If neutral, common-sense workplace rules can be deemed unlawful based on hypothetical interpretations, businesses will face increased litigation risk and difficulty maintaining consistent standards for safety, conduct, and operations. The RLC emphasizes that clear, predictable guidance is essential for employers—particularly retailers managing large, customer-facing workforces—to maintain compliant and effective workplace policies.

Other Amici: Chamber of Commerce of the United States and other business organizations.

Counsel: Counsel from national appellate and labor law practices representing amici curiae.