Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

In this special episode of Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break, we’re giving you a front-row seat to our recent Workplace Investigations Workshop. You’ll hear from attorney Megan Egbert as she kicks off the training with the all-important question: Why should employers conduct workplace investigations? Megan unpacks the legal duty to investigate, how it strengthens your defenses ag...

With everything going on in workplaces right now, we thought this was the perfect time to revisit one of our most important episodes. Retaliation claims remain the number one issue filed with the EEOC — making up nearly 40% of all charges. In this replay, we break down what retaliation looks like, how leaders can spot it, and most importantly, how to avoid it. *Ground Rules hosts and guests are no...

In today’s politically charged climate, employers are facing more pressure than ever when employees’ social media posts spark controversy at work. Posts that blur the line between personal expression and workplace impact raise tough questions: What control do employers really have over employees’ online activity? Does it matter if a post identifies the employer — by name, uniform, or profile? How...

What happens when an employee needs more than one accommodation—or when new disabilities come to light after the process has already started? In this episode of Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break , Pam, Jennifer, and Doug break down the complexities of handling multiple accommodation requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Through real-life examples involving men...

In this episode of Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break , Pam Howland, Doug Plass, and Jennifer Walrath are joined by our summer intern, Alisha Hopkins, for a timely look at how artificial intelligence is changing hiring—and where employers can stumble. From real-world misfires (like Amazon’s resume-screening example) to the EEOC’s iTutorGroup settlement and a fast-evolving patchwor...

In this episode of Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break , Pam Howland, Doug Plass, and Jennifer Walrath sit down with HR consultant Monica Frame to talk about the major trends she’s seeing across organizations in 2025. With over 25 years of HR leadership experience, Monica brings a commonsense and pragmatic perspective to the challenges employers are facing today. From cost-cutting...

In this episode of Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break , Pam Howland, Doug Plass, and Jennifer Walrath dive into the unsettled and rapidly changing state of LGBTQ+ protections in the workplace. From the landmark Bostock Supreme Court decision to executive orders, shifting EEOC guidance, and new lawsuits challenging federal enforcement, employers are left with more questions than an...

In this episode, the hosts discuss the complexities of employment agreements, including their necessity, risks, and benefits. They emphasize the importance of understanding the implications of such agreements in an at-will employment state like Idaho. The conversation covers when to use employment agreements, key provisions to include, and the significance of termination clauses. Additionally, the...

A poorly handled workplace investigation can damage morale, tank culture, and open the door to legal risk. In this episode of Ground Rules , Pam Howland, Jennifer Walrath, and Doug Plass pull back the curtain on how to get investigations right—from the first complaint to the final report. They share: The most common triggers for investigations (and some surprising ones) Frequent mistakes that dera...

In this episode, Pam, Doug, and Jennifer discuss the complexities of workplace romance, particularly in light of the recent kiss cam scandal. They explore employer perspectives on regulating personal relationships, the risks associated with supervisor-subordinate dynamics, and the impact of workplace romance on company culture. The conversation also delves into the importance of having effective w...

On this episode of Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break , Pam,  Jennifer, and Doug break down the ins and outs of severance agreements. Whether you’re navigating a high-risk termination, wondering how much to offer, or trying to avoid future legal claims, this conversation covers what every employer should consider before handing over a check. They discuss: When (and why) severance...

In this episode of Ground Rules , Pam, Jennifer, and Doug dive into the surprisingly complex topic of work phones vs. personal phones—and what it means for employers. From wage and hour risks to trade secrets walking out the door, this conversation covers the legal and practical issues that arise when employees use their own devices for work. They unpack: Wage and hour pitfalls for off-the-clock w...

Under the ADA, disability discrimination isn’t limited to individuals with diagnosed conditions. Employers can get into legal trouble simply for assuming someone has a disability. In this episode of Ground Rules , Pam, Doug, and Jennifer break down the often-overlooked “regarded as” prong of the ADA. They walk through real-world litigation examples—from assumptions about mental health and addictio...

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...

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...

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 del...

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 overrid...

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 a...

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 f...

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 tradition...

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,...

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...

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, t...

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 comp...

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...