Darlene and her friends get together for lunch after work. While at lunch, the friends discuss what they can do to solve the problem of excessive overtime at work. Which of the following is true?

Question:  

Darlene and her friends get together for lunch after work. While at lunch, the friends discuss what they can do to solve the problem with excessive overtime at work. Which of the following is true?

A) Darlene and her friends are not engaging in a concerted activity because they don’t plan to talk to management about the problem.

B) Darlene and her friends are engaging in concerted activity since they are discussing how to improve working conditions.  

C) Darlene and her friends are engaging in concerted activity only if they are union members.

D) Darlene and her friends are not engaging in a concerted activity because they are not in a union meeting.

The answer to the above question is B.

Explanation:  

Any group activity that involves one employee putting forward an idea or plan for discussion and consideration to other employees that is related to working conditions may be referred to as concerted activity.

In some organisations, this sort of activity is prohibited or may lead to stiff sanctions by management. However, as Labour Law evolves, countries are beginning to put in place laws that protect concerted activity. Such laws sometimes define activity which may or may not be protected, thus allowing employees to engage in what would, therefore, be called Protected Activity.

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