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NLRB Files Complaint Against Grindr Over Return-to-Office Policy

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has taken significant action by filing a complaint against Grindr, a popular social networking app for the LGBTQ+ community. The complaint centers around a mandatory return-to-office (RTO) directive that allegedly undermined the ability of employees to organize for union representation. Reports indicate that this policy, which curtailed remote work options, resulted in around 80 employees resigning from their positions following its announcement.

According to Bloomberg, the NLRB’s general counsel has accused Grindr of violating labor laws by retaliating against workers who were in the process of organizing a union and allegedly failing to engage in good faith negotiations with the union once it was recognized.

A spokesperson for Grindr responded to these allegations by labeling them as “meritless,” suggesting that the union activity was sparked only after the RTO policy was publicly communicated.

The timeline of events indicates that Grindr announced the RTO requirement on August 4, 2023, mandating employees to be in the office at least two days a week. This decision significantly impacted the workforce, as a supermajority of employees had announced their intention to unionize in July. Following the RTO announcement, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) reported that many employees, particularly those with relocation requirements, felt compelled to resign, with approximately half of the workforce leaving by the end of August.

The CWA highlighted the challenges faced by marginalized workers, particularly trans employees, who would have had to change their healthcare providers as a result of the relocation requirements. The organization pointed out that employees were given a mere two weeks to decide between leaving the company or moving to a newly designated “hub” city, where they would be required to work in person twice a week.

As noted by CNN, this requirement forced many employees who had been hired remotely back to physical offices located in major cities, including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, DC.

This is not the first controversy surrounding Grindr. Earlier in the year, the company faced legal challenges for allegedly disclosing sensitive user information, such as HIV status and sexual orientation, to advertising firms without user consent.

In response to the NLRB’s actions, Grindr United-CWA has heralded the complaint as a significant victory for unionized workers. Their statement emphasized that the complaint underscores the importance of safeguarding workers’ rights and the ongoing necessity to negotiate fair working conditions. The union has expressed hope that the NLRB’s involvement will facilitate constructive negotiations with Grindr’s management going forward, ensuring a safe and inclusive working environment.

Update, November 4, 5:40PM ET: This story has been updated to include a statement from Grindr United-CWA.

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