The Employee Handbook - A Human Resources Podcast by 2 Lawyers

Send a text Welcome back to The Employee Handbook (formerly the HR Podcast—we changed it for the SEO, let’s see if it works). To kick off 2026, Arta and Ryan take a trip north of the border to analyze a case that involves contract law, trade shows, and copious amounts of baby oil. We examine Newsham v. CanWest Trade Shows , where a male exotic dancer suffered a knee injury after slipping on stage....

Send a text The world's largest HR organization just paid $11.5 million for violating its own rules. SHRM—the Society for Human Resource Management—literally writes the certification exams, publishes the best practices, and trains HR professionals worldwide on how to handle workplace discrimination complaints. Then they got sued for racial discrimination and retaliation by one of their own em...

Send a text Can you sue your boss for being mean? Is workplace bullying illegal in California? What does HR actually do—and what are they required to tell you? Employment lawyers Arta Wildeboer and Ryan Ellis separate fact from fiction on the most common workplace myths that trip up California employees and employers alike. What We Cover: HR Complaints & Investigations HR is not the principal&...

Send a text California employment law is changing again in 2026—and employers need to prepare now. In this episode of The Employee Handbook, attorneys Arta Wildeboer and Ryan Ellis break down the most significant new California labor laws taking effect January 1, 2026. Topics covered in this episode: Wage & Hour Updates California minimum wage increasing to $16.90/hour (with higher rates in Sa...

Send a text Ever wondered how to navigate the maze of employer responsibilities and employee rights, especially when it comes to mental health and work injuries? This episode promises to unravel the complexities with a blend of humor and practical advice. We illustrate the crucial concepts of actual and constructive notice in workplace injuries.  Our deep dive into California’s stringent workers&a...

Send a text In a new segment designed to bring our audiences closer to our inner children, we ponder what life would be like if we'd taken a wildly different career path. That's exactly where Ryan and I start off our second season. Ryan makes an odd turn by making a play to become a member of the village people, while Arta looks to corner the market by appealing to a niche demo. We then...

Send a text Navigating the labyrinth of disability accommodations and avoiding the snares of discrimination in the workplace can be as complex as a game of legal chess. With us, Arta Wildeboer or and Ryan Ellis, your guides through California's intricate employment law landscape, you're in for an enlightening strategy session. We dissect the spectrum of conditions covered by employment l...

Send a text This week we delve into a topic that is a common gripe for many employees -  Supervisors playing favorites.  The perception that the boss has a favorite among the employees can cause a lot of interpersonal tension in the workplace, but it is illegal for the boss to have a bff among the staff?   Our favoritism discussion centers around another Reddit post and we decide if what is going...

Send a text Here is the description of the episode that Chat GPT came up with when I asked it to read the transcript: Dive into the dynamic world of human resources and employment law with a compelling podcast for HR professionals, legal advisors, and business leaders. In this insightful episode, hosts Ryan Ellis and Arta Wildeboer, seasoned experts in the field, navigate through the complexities...

Send a text Embark on a journey through the complex world of workplace sexual harassment with attorneys Ryan Ellis and Arta Wildeboer as our guides. Today's episode tackles a real-life scenario straight from Reddit, revealing the murky waters employees and HR departments must navigate when allegations arise.  Delve into the legal definitions and boundary lines of what constitutes harassment i...

Send a text Prepare to steer through California's legal maelstrom with us, Arta Wildebore and Ryan Ellis, as we dissect the seismic shifts in employment law hitting in 2024. This episode promises a dual-perspective deep-dive into the intricacies of arbitration enforcement laws. Businesses are under the microscope, and we're here to guide HR professionals with strategies to avoid the snar...

Send a text In episode 2, we delve deeper into the evolving and increasingly complex role of HR, as it has transformed into an entity responsible for a wide range of tasks that it shouldn't be doing. HR has taken on quasi-legal responsibilities, such as managing vendor contracts and handling employment law matters.  We examine the challenges and consequences of this shift in HR's respons...

Send a text In our inaugural episode, Ryan and Arta delve into their viewpoints regarding the optimal duties of HR within a company. They take a critical look at the common issues faced by many organizations in precisely delineating these roles. Additionally, they explore the concept of "HR is not your friend," shedding light on the increasing skepticism employees often have toward HR. D...