The Working Lunch

On this episode of the Working Lunch podcast, the first QSR in the country is set to unionize. The crew at Align analyzes what happened to Burgerville and whether the playbook for unionizing restaurants been written heading into the union vote. Should other QSR operators start preparing for this at their restaurant? Also on the show, the six-month anniversary of the #MeToo movement that is showing...

On this week’s episode of the Working Lunch podcast, the Align crew explains how a new health study, funded by several million dollars of federal spending could dramatically change the course of the minimum wage conversation by linking wages to obesity and other health issues. The study will compare workers over the next five years in two popular cities. Plus, it’s never too early to start examini...

On this episode of the Working Lunch podcast, the Align crew sorts out a bundle of news items from the week including the McDonald’s settlement with the NLRB and what, if anything, it means to the joint employer issue; Congress added tip sharing language to its major spending bill; Uber drivers in New York City want to be paid a minimum wage which could affect delivery costs someday; and at least...

On this episode of the Working Lunch podcast, the Align crew reveals how the current debate over tipped wages is now being impacted by the #MeToo movement. They explain the policy risks if this trend continues and why retailers should start paying attention to this development as well. Plus, the outcome of a congressional race in Pennsylvania could change the conversation over key business issues...

McDonald’s flipped its golden arches for International Women's Day and opened the door to attacks over its employment practices. Grilling on Capitol Hill, the labor secretary was in the hot seat over tipped wages and a voluntary wage theft program, the Align crew analyzes the impact on both issues. Plus, the legislative scorecard includes news about major brands making big announcements over minim...

There’s major uncertainty for the franchise business model as the NLRB shifts course and brings back an Obama-era joint employment standard. The Align crew explains what’s next on the issue and they have an interview with the Sr. VP of Government Affairs for the International Franchising Association. Also on the show, how major brands are responding to the nationwide gun issue following the high s...

On this episode of the podcast, the Align crew explains the political and potential policy impact of a new investigative report that’s gone viral in the labor community. It shows how wage theft laws are not being enforced properly or, in same cases, completely ignored. Speaking of negative reports the first of many detailing the gap between CEO to median worker pay is out and looks as bad or worse...

Working Lunch, a podcast for CEOs and entry-level employers celebrates its one-year anniversary. On episode 52--the feds call out sanctuary cities and send immigration authorities to raid business operations. The Fight 15 movement had its best day in a long time with protests while hundreds of wage, scheduling and paid leave bills make their way through state legislatures around the country. Those...

There is a new idea out Washington D.C. for how to pass paid leave policy that would pull from Social Security. This version comes from Senator Marco Rubio and Ivanka Trump. Align explains the politics behind the Rubio plan being crafted and how both parties will attempt to get credit if and when some type of paid leave policy passes. Meanwhile, business operators are getting pulled into a convers...

The Fight for $15 is back with protests scheduled in the coming days and the message is closely tied to the civil rights movement. What’s at stake as the debate heads further into a conversation about equality and human rights? As that is playing out, a lot more information about the actual pay disparity between CEOs and rank and file workers is being revealed publicly and the early numbers pose a...

Burger King fried the Federal Communications Commission this week with a viral video that used the Whopper to explain what’s wrong with Net Neutrality. In the process, they became the first quick service restaurant to take on a major policy issue this publicly during the Trump administration. On this week’s Working Lunch podcast, the Align crew weighs in on great marketing versus what happens when...

The same group of restaurant servers that got Maine's tip credit reinstated is rapidly organizing around the country to stop other states and cities from trying to cut a large portion of their income. Joshua Chaisson, the co-founder of Restaurant Workers of America, says they are ready to take on unions and a strong opponent. He spoke to Working Lunch for an extended interview about the group's st...

Raids on 7-Eleven stores by U.S. Immigration and Customs agents signal an escalation by the federal government to target employers for hiring undocumented workers. On this week’s Working Lunch podcast, the Align crew cautions all retailers and restaurant operators about the urgency of being compliant and why more raids are expected. The other big story this week on Working Lunch is over the tip cr...

Congress and state legislators are back to work and the team at Align Public Strategies is looking ahead at the policy and political issues expected to impact employers most in 2018. On this podcast episode, they reveal which states are hotspots for key issues affecting business models. Plus, how will states and local governments respond to federal tax reform? Those stories plus a preview of how t...

This year’s biggest winners and losers are the focus of the final 2017 episode of the Working Lunch podcast. The Align crew is closing out the year with a look back at what happened and where things stand with policy and politics affecting employers. In 30 minutes of listening, you will get a year’s worth of key legislative scorecard details to consider over the holiday break including wages, wage...

The National Labor Relations Board is acting quickly to undo standards set during the Obama Administration. The Align crew explains what’s changing? Also on this episode, Congress’s attempt at a tax overhaul. It’s closer to getting passed so what does it mean for restaurant and retail operators? Plus, fallout from the special election in Alabama. Those stories and Align’s extended interview with t...

Former presidential candidate and current U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders called for a cultural revolution this week and named “restaurants and offices all over this country” as part of the problem of sexual harassment. His comments are tied to more high-profile cases of assault allegations that have been widely reported. This week the Align crew examines the politics of this issue and how it is now b...

New reports are out about workplace raids coming soon in the foodservice industry. The specific details are limited but they are expected to be high profile. Other big issues on this week’s podcast include sexual assault and sexual harassment cases in the restaurant industry plus an update to the federal tax reform proposal. Also, on a jam-packed legislative scorecard, the Align crew explains why...

On this episode of the podcast, what a leading strategist in the restaurant industry thinks will happen with a dramatically shifting workforce; how brands are finding ways to attract customers and employees; the influence of private equity firms; and what’s keeping restaurant CEOs around the country up at night. The Align crew interviews Fred LeFranc from Results Thru Strategy.

The debate over paid leave at the federal level is heating up and there’s a push to get it passed by Mother’s Day. This week the Align crew has a special guest interview to explain what’s in the bill right now and they’ll look ahead at what could happen to employers that don’t volunteer to follow it. Plus, there’s news out of Washington from the labor secretary over wages and overtime regulations....

The results of Tuesday’s elections around the country include bad outcomes for operators in specific states and around the country. What do the results mean for the policies restaurants and retailers have been supporting and the ones they thought they could avoid with Republican majorities. The Align crew covers tax reform, health care, minimum policies and more. As always, you can get up to speed...

This episode Working Lunch from Align Public Strategies has expert legal advice from a labor and employment law attorney about what brands and employers should be doing to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace--What policies are should be in place? What type of training is needed, and how will activist groups go after specific companies over this issue. This week’s Legislative Scorecard segme...

HotSchedules is changing the way restaurants operate through innovation and technology by optimizing management efficiencies and engagement with staff. The Align crew has an extended interview with CEO Mike Arenth about how it's being done. Plus, on this week's legislative scorecard, potential changes coming to tip pooling regulations.

The conversation about portable benefits for independent contractors is heating up because of a state bill filed that would force employers to pay into a shared fund. The Align crew details how changes in the Gig Economy are shaping this type of policy, possibly for all employers. The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on several cases this session that impact operators and their employees. An attorney...

On this episode of The Working Lunch podcast, what will California’s governor do with a wage- shaming bill sitting on his desk and how could his decision impact states and employers around the country? The Align team digs into the policy and politics. This show also includes a revealing interview with one of the country's top legal minds on wage and hour issues. Hear analysis from the Jackson Lewi...