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PODCAST

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

Hosted by seasoned attorney Pam Howland, alongside attorneys Jennifer Walrath and Doug Plass, Ground Rules delivers employment law insights in bite-sized weekly episodes. With decades of courtroom experience, this dynamic trio has seen the costly consequences of legal missteps for employers—and they"re here to help you avoid them.Perfect for business owners, HR professionals, and supervisors, this podcast is your go-to guide for staying ahead of the curve on employment law, fostering compliant

business management

All Episodes

21:13

Unlimited PTO: Great Perk or HR Nightmare

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break ·

2025/07/02

Unlimited paid time off sounds like a dream benefit—but is it really as simple as it seems? In this episode of Ground Rules, the hosts break down the pros and cons of unlimited PTO policies. From workplace culture and employee trust to performance management and legal landmines, they explore the practical and legal considerations every employer should weigh before jumping in. *Ground Rules hosts and guests are not providing legal advice in this podcast. Do not act upon any of the inform...

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23:43

When an Employee Gets Arrested: What Employers Can...

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break ·

2025/06/25

When an employee is arrested, employers are often left with more questions than answers: Can we ask about it? Do we need to act now—or at all? What if coworkers feel unsafe? And what if the arrest doesn’t turn into a conviction? In this episode of Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break, the hosts unpack what employers should consider when facing these tricky situations. They explore the legal distinctions between arrests and convictions, what actions are considered defensib...

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25:51

Why Lawsuits Can't Just Disappear

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break ·

2025/06/18

In this episode of Ground Rules, the hosts tackle one of the most common (and frustrating) questions they hear from clients: “Can’t you just make this lawsuit go away?” From the average three-year lifespan of employment lawsuits to sky-high defense costs and unpredictable trial outcomes, the team breaks down why litigation is rarely quick—or simple. They share real-world experiences with court delays, stubborn opposing parties, and systemic obstacles that make early dismissal nearly impossibl...

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40:48

The Psychology Behind Workplace Decisions

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break ·

2025/06/11

In this thought-provoking episode of Ground Rules, the team sits down with Dr. Roger Hall, a business psychologist and leadership consultant, to explore the surprising psychology behind workplace decision-making. Drawing from behavioral economics, real-life research, and courtroom experience, Dr. Hall and the hosts unpack why leaders often delay proactive compliance steps, how emotion can override logic, and what organizations can do to influence better decisions before a lawsuit hits. They a...

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34:04

The Case for Coaching: How Clear Communication...

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break ·

2025/06/04

What do business coaching and employment law have in common? More than you'd think. In this episode, the hosts are joined by Mike Taylor, business coach and Chief Vision Officer of TaylorMade Visioneering. Together, they dig into how performance management, documentation, and coaching intersect with legal risk—and how organizations can protect themselves by doing it better. From panic hires and vague org charts to sugarcoated performance reviews and last-minute terminations, this episode expl...

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40:30

Respect at Work: How Civility Shapes Culture—and Claims

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break ·

2025/05/28

In this episode of Ground Rules, the hosts are joined by seasoned HR consultant Rhiannon Albert to unpack an often-overlooked compliance risk: workplace civility and respect. The conversation dives into how everyday behaviors—rudeness, exclusion, unchecked conflict—can quietly escalate into discrimination claims or toxic cultures that drive away top talent. With real-world examples and insights from both legal and HR perspectives, this episode explores why fostering respect in the workplace i...

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25:38

AI at Work: Innovation, Risk, and Employer...

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break ·

2025/05/21

In this episode of Ground Rules the hosts take on one of the most buzzworthy topics in the workplace today—artificial intelligence. From AI-powered hiring tools to workplace surveillance, they unpack the real-world uses, legal risks, and compliance must-knows for employers. The team shares recent case law, best practices for drafting AI policies, and the difference between generative and traditional AI. Whether you're intrigued or overwhelmed by AI in your workplace, this conversation will he...

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26:47

Retaliation Claims: What Employers Need to Know

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break ·

2025/05/14

In this episode of Ground Rules, the hosts dive into the complex and critical topic of retaliation claims in the workplace. The team breaks down why retaliation is one of the most common claims filed with the EEOC, accounting for 38% of all discrimination charges in 2024. They explain the legal framework behind retaliation claims, common scenarios that trigger them, and what leaders, supervisors, and HR professionals can do to avoid them. With real-world insights and practical tips, this epis...

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37:06

Ideas at Work: Where Employment and Patent Law Meet

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break ·

2025/05/07

In this episode of Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break, hosts Pam Howland, Jennifer Walrath, and Doug Plass of Idaho Employment Lawyers are joined by J.D. Houvener, a patent attorney and founder of Bold Patents Law. Together, they explore the fascinating intersection of employment law and intellectual property—especially how ideas and inventions created in the workplace can raise important legal questions for both employees and employers. J.D. shares insights from his work wit...

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34:51

Navigating Mental Health in the Workplace

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break ·

2025/04/30

This conversation focuses on navigating mental health in the workplace, particularly under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The speakers discuss the obligations of employers regarding mental health conditions, the process for requesting accommodations, and the importance of identifying mental health issues that may affect performance. They also highlight common mistakes employers make, the intersection of FMLA and ADA, and the significance of documenting temporary accommodations. Th...

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28:19

EEOC in Flux: What Employers Need to Know Now

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break ·

2025/04/23

In this episode, Pam Howland, Jennifer Walrath, and Doug Plass break down the latest trends coming from the EEOC, including recent communications on DEI initiatives, LGBTQ+ protections, and enforcement priorities under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. The team discusses how recent executive orders are signaling a potential shift in the legal landscape and what employers need to know to stay compliant. From training pitfalls to changes in gender identity claims, this episode is packed with i...

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23:21

Religious Accommodations at Work: Balancing Beliefs...

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break ·

2025/04/16

This conversation delves into the complexities of religious accommodations under Title VII, particularly in light of the recent Supreme Court case Groff v. DeJoy. The discussion highlights the evolving legal landscape, the obligations of employers to accommodate sincerely held religious beliefs, and the potential conflicts that may arise with LGBTQ+ protections. The hosts provide insights into the definition of undue hardship, examples of religious accommodations, and the importance of having...

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23:30

When Employees Secretly Work Two Jobs: Is...

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break ·

2025/04/09

In this episode of Ground Rules, the hosts discuss the implications of employees working second jobs, particularly in remote work settings. They explore the legal considerations, the importance of having clear policies in place, and the need for effective communication between employers and employees. The conversation also touches on the significance of job descriptions, performance monitoring, and confidentiality concerns, providing a comprehensive overview of how employers can navigate thes...

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30:19

Understanding Employer Obligations Under the PWFA

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break ·

2025/04/02

This conversation provides a comprehensive overview of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), discussing its implications, scope, and the responsibilities of employers. The hosts emphasize the misleading nature of the act's name, the importance of understanding its broad coverage beyond just pregnant workers, and the necessity for employers to be aware of their obligations under the law. They also highlight the role of the EEOC in providing guidance and enforcing the act, as well as the di...

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38:17

Responding To IHRC Complaints The Right Way: Insights...

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break ·

2025/03/26

In this episode, the hosts sit down with Ben Earwicker, Director of the Idaho Human Rights Commission (IHRC), to discuss best practices for responding to IHRC complaints, common pitfalls, and what employers can expect when working with the Commission. The discussion also covers the evolving role of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) under the current administration, key changes in federal enforcement priorities, and how the IHRC is approaching these shifts. Plus, they dive int...

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31:36

Employers & Immigration: A Changing Landscape with...

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break ·

2025/03/19

In this episode of Ground Rules, the hosts are joined by special guest J.J. Despain, an immigration attorney from Wilner O’Reilly. The discussion focuses on key immigration issues affecting employers in 2025, including increased ICE enforcement and I-9 compliance. J.J. shares insights on best practices for employers, proactive measures to ensure compliance, and how to handle audits or unexpected visits from immigration authorities. The conversation also touches on work visas, changing e...

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29:00

Handbooks 101: Avoiding Legal Pitfalls & Setting...

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break ·

2025/03/12

In this conversation, the hosts discuss the critical role of employee handbooks in navigating employment law and workplace operations. They emphasize the importance of having updated policies to address new laws, workplace culture, and the need for clear guidelines to manage employee behavior and expectations. The discussion also highlights common pitfalls in handbook creation and the necessity of training employees on these policies to ensure compliance and foster a positive work environment...

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28:10

Shifting EEOC Trends: Understanding the Impact of...

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break ·

2025/03/05

In this episode, host Pam, Jennifer, and Doug discuss the latest trends and updates from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). They explore recent executive orders, including one rolling back certain gender identity protections and another emphasizing merit-based hiring. The discussion highlights potential shifts in EEOC enforcement priorities, the impact of Supreme Court rulings, and what employers should watch for in the evolving legal landscape. The episode concludes wi...

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27:31

Updates from the Idaho Legislature with Megan Egbert

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break ·

2025/02/26

In this episode of Ground Rules, the hosts discuss the current legislative landscape in Idaho and its implications for employers. Special guest Megan Egbert, a representative with the Idaho Legislature, shares insights on various topics including non-compete agreements, whistleblower protections, the Idaho Human Rights Act, and the impact of DEI initiatives. The conversation also touches on concerns regarding fraud in employment benefits and proposed legislation affecting healthcare workers. ...

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28:59

EEOC Guidance and Understanding Workplace Harassment

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break ·

2025/02/19

In this episode, Pam, Jennifer, and Doug discuss the critical issue of workplace harassment, focusing on the EEOC Checklists and Chart of Risk Factors for Employers. They explore how power disparities, coarsened social discourse, and alcohol consumption can impact workplace culture. The conversation emphasizes the importance of training, leadership engagement, and staying updated on legal changes to foster a harassment-free environment. Resources mentioned in this episode: EEOC Checklists and...

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66 results

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