The Obama administration is redefining what it means to be an employer.
 
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently handed down one of its biggest decisions of President Barack Obama’s tenure, ruling that companies can be held responsible for labor violations committed by their contractors.
 
While the ruling from the independent agency specifically deals with the waste-management firm Browning-Ferris, the so-called “joint employer” decision could have broad repercussions for the business world, particularly for franchise companies.
 
The Aug. 27 ruling could hurt businesses ranging from commercial laundries to restaurants retailers, manufacturers ...