by Richard Hankins

Today’s British Psychological Society’s Research Digest blog notes an interesting new study finding that “ [a]spects of the environment that indicate danger - from flashing lights to a mere exclamation mark - lead us to make faster and more extreme judgements about fairness.” The researchers opine: “when we sense a threat, and what they call the 'human alarm system' is activated, we tend to form faster and more extreme reactions, with justice-related decisions being no exception.”

Perhaps other symbols can influence judgments as well. Maybe when immigrants see a U.S. flag, they quickly form strong opinions that the environment is safe and fair. That is apparently what the NLRB’s General Counsel had in mind when he made his much-maligned announcement that the U.S. flag would be displayed at all NLRB elections.  He stated:

Display of the flag will lend dignity to the election process and communicate to all participants that they are involved in an official activity of the Government of the United States.  For many of the voters in our elections, voting in a secret-ballot NLRB election may be their first experience with the democratic process.  For all employees who cast ballots for or against union representation, our elections present an important opportunity to emphasize that the Government is truly serious about the promise of employee free choice guaranteed by Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act.

The GC may be right.  The flag really is a nice touch.  However, Board Agents already have to carry a lot of stuff, and they aren't allowed to let the parties help.  So, it seems a little impractical.

One final thought.  It might create a greater impression of fairness and seriousness to have the ballots translated into languages the voters can read.