Google has been given two weeks to respond to a US labour board complaint accusing the internet giant of using surveillance, interrogation and other tactics to spy on activist employees.

The National Labour Relations Board (NLRB) complaint filed late Wednesday stemmed from the dismissal a year ago of a quartet of employees dubbed the "Thanksgiving Four."

The workers sought a federal investigation into their dismissal, alleging they were sacked in retaliation for their labour organizing efforts, while Google maintained that the employees had violated data security policies.

A copy of the NLRB complaint seen by AFP contended that Google "surveilled" employees by peeking at slides being preparing in support of unionizing workers.

Google also "interrogated employees about protected activities" and threatened reprisals for venturing outside official company channels for handling complaints on such matters as workplace conduct, according to the complaint.

In addition, Google selectively applied rules to workers who participated in activist activities, it contended.

"It's vindicating," Laurence Berland, one of the employees in the complaint, told AFP.

"It's become clear that Google's actions are not defensible, and not just legally."

Google has until December 16 to file an answer. A hearing is slated for April 12 in San Francisco.

"We strongly support the rights our employees have in the workplace, and open discussion and respectful debate have always been part of Google," a spokesperson told AFP.

"We're proud of our culture and committed to defending it against attempts by individuals to deliberately undermine it -- including by violating security policies and internal systems," the spokesperson said.

Google added that it will continue to provide information to the NLRB about its decisions to terminate or discipline employees.

Unhappy with the way the company was behaving, Berland said he and other workers had "acted together to do something about it."

"I was just doing my part in that."

Thousands of Google employees joined a coordinated worldwide walkout late in 2018 to protest its handling of sexual harassment.

The protests took shape after Google said it had fired 48 employees in the previous two years -- including 13 senior executives -- as a result of allegations of sexual misconduct.

Google employees have also protested against the company's business contracts related to war or policing of the US border, and against creation of a search engine for China's censored market.

"Employees who speak out on ethical issues, harassment, discrimination and all these matters are no longer really welcome at Google in the way they used to be," Berland said.

"I think it is part of a shift in culture there."

Google has been given two weeks to respond to a US labour board complaint accusing the internet giant of using surveillance, interrogation and other tactics to spy on activist employees.

Google has been given two weeks to respond to a US labour board complaint accusing the internet giant of using surveillance, interrogation and other tactics to spy on activist employees. The National Labour Relations Board (NLRB) complaint filed late Wednesday stemmed from the dismissal a year ago of a quartet of employees dubbed the "Thanksgiving Four." The workers sought a federal investigation into their dismissal, alleging they were sacked in retaliation for their labour organizing efforts, while Google maintained that the employees had violated data security policies. A copy of the NLRB complaint seen by AFP contended that Google "surveilled" employees by peeking at slides being preparing in support of unionizing workers. Google also "interrogated employees about protected activities" and threatened reprisals for venturing outside official company channels for handling complaints on such matters as workplace conduct, according to the complaint. In addition, Google selectively applied rules to workers who participated in activist activities, it contended. "It's vindicating," Laurence Berland, one of the employees in the complaint, told AFP. "It's become clear that Google's actions are not defensible, and not just legally." Google has until December 16 to file an answer. A hearing is slated for April 12 in San Francisco. "We strongly support the rights our employees have in the workplace, and open discussion and respectful debate have always been part of Google," a spokesperson told AFP. "We're proud of our culture and committed to defending it against attempts by individuals to deliberately undermine it -- including by violating security policies and internal systems," the spokesperson said. Google added that it will continue to provide information to the NLRB about its decisions to terminate or discipline employees. Unhappy with the way the company was behaving, Berland said he and other workers had "acted together to do something about it." "I was just doing my part in that." Thousands of Google employees joined a coordinated worldwide walkout late in 2018 to protest its handling of sexual harassment. The protests took shape after Google said it had fired 48 employees in the previous two years -- including 13 senior executives -- as a result of allegations of sexual misconduct. Google employees have also protested against the company's business contracts related to war or policing of the US border, and against creation of a search engine for China's censored market. "Employees who speak out on ethical issues, harassment, discrimination and all these matters are no longer really welcome at Google in the way they used to be," Berland said. "I think it is part of a shift in culture there."

US labour board challenges Google moves against activist employees

The US agency in charge of enforcing labour law on Thursday filed a complaint against <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/over-60000-orders-of-tesla-model-3-cancelled-18552">electric car maker Tesla</a> saying it found merit to workers&#39; complaints about unfair labour practices.

According to the National Labor Relations Board complaint, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-wallet-tesla-starts-solar-roof-installations-at-home-4403">Tesla </a>violated workers&#39; rights by requiring them to sign a confidentiality&nbsp;agreement that could bar them from talking about their working conditions and safety issues at the&nbsp;company&#39;s facility in Fremont, California.

The agency also investigated charges by the workers that Tesla intimidated and harassed them and violated workers&#39; rights under federal labour law.

Tesla has denied the allegations.

The company must respond to the charges by Sept. 14. The NLRB has scheduled a hearing for Nov. 14 before an administrative law judge in Oakland, California.

&quot;These allegations, which have been filed by the same contingent of union organisers who have been so outspoken with media, are entirely without merit,&quot; <a href="http://www.wionews.com/science-tech/tesla-3-musks-addition-to-his-eco-friendly-cars-18362">Tesla </a>said in a statement.

Complaints were filed by three employees and the United Auto Workers union, which has encouraged Tesla employees to unionize.

The workers said <a href="http://www.wionews.com/science-tech/musk-hands-over-first-tesla-model-3-electric-cars-to-early-buyers-18373">Tesla</a> made them sign a document that they may face termination or criminal prosecution for speaking publicly, or to the media, about anything they observed at work or their working conditions, NLRB said.

According to the National Labor Relations Board complaint, Tesla violated workers' rights by requiring them to sign a confidentiality?agreement that could bar them from talking about their working conditions and safety issues at the?company's facility in Fremont, California

The US agency in charge of enforcing labour law on Thursday filed a complaint against electric car maker Tesla saying it found merit to workers' complaints about unfair labour practices. According to the National Labor Relations Board complaint, Tesla violated workers' rights by requiring them to sign a confidentiality agreement that could bar them from talking about their working conditions and safety issues at the company's facility in Fremont, California. The agency also investigated charges by the workers that Tesla intimidated and harassed them and violated workers' rights under federal labour law. Tesla has denied the allegations. The company must respond to the charges by Sept. 14. The NLRB has scheduled a hearing for Nov. 14 before an administrative law judge in Oakland, California. "These allegations, which have been filed by the same contingent of union organisers who have been so outspoken with media, are entirely without merit," Tesla said in a statement. Complaints were filed by three employees and the United Auto Workers union, which has encouraged Tesla employees to unionize. The workers said Tesla made them sign a document that they may face termination or criminal prosecution for speaking publicly, or to the media, about anything they observed at work or their working conditions, NLRB said.

US labour board files complaint against Tesla

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US labour board challenges Google moves against activist employees

US labour board files complaint against Tesla