This Week at Work: An HR and Employment Law Show

This week on This Week at Work, we dive into Missouri’s new paid sick leave law and what it means for employers. With legal challenges pending and key deadlines approaching, our expert Lawyer on the Clock segment breaks down the latest updates. Plus, in Burning Questions, we tackle critical HR concerns, including compliance for remote workers and the impact of diversity policies. [00:07:39] Lawyer...

Episode 315: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs are at a pivotal moment. With new executive orders and policy shifts, what does this mean for HR leaders and employers? Are DEI initiatives at risk, or is this a chance to redefine them for long-term success? Join Phil Brandt, Burt Garland, with special guests Fred Falker and Luther Wright, Jr. for a one-hour roundtable as we break down:...

Episode #314: This Week at Work welcomes a truly inspiring guest—John O’Leary, a world-renowned speaker, bestselling author, and survivor whose story of resilience has touched millions. John, a featured speaker at the AAIM Leadership Conference, joins us to share his powerful journey of overcoming tragedy, embracing life’s challenges, and discovering the profound impact of The Power of One. Join u...

Ep. 313 Lawyer on the Clock 00:11:18: National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) changes under President Trump, including the firing of General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo and board member Gwen Wilcox, reducing the board composition and potentially stalling decisions. 00:16:16: Trump fires multiple Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) commissioners, leading to legal challenges and a lack of agen...

From navigating pay compliance to addressing harassment allegations, we’re bringing expert advice to help you handle tricky situations with confidence. Here's what Phil and Burt are discussing this week:  Lawyer on the Clock 3:20 A flurry of executive orders 10:59 Ending remote work federally 18:40 Regulatory freeze 21:50 Federal hiring freeze 34:00 Gender and DEI policies 39:34 Impact on affirmat...

Join us for the latest episode of This Week at Work as we tackle today’s most pressing HR challenges. From handling workplace suspicions and accommodations to navigating compliance and fair pay, this episode is packed with actionable advice you can’t afford to miss. Topics include: Lawyer on the Clock: 07:53 Fair Labor Standards Act: Supreme Court ruling simplifies evidentiary standards in exempti...

Ep. 310🔥 Get ready for an all-new episode of This Week at Work! We’re tackling the workplace dilemmas everyone’s talking about.  💡 Don’t miss this jam-packed episode full of insights and strategies to navigate today’s trickiest HR challenges. Here's what we covered today... Lawyer on the Clock: 00:04:05 Rising legal challenges related to DEI programs, with potential class-action lawsuits expecte...

Ep. 309 This Week at Work is fueled by the challenges you face, and the observations you make. This week we are answering your burning questions on red-flag candidates, managing workplace accommodations after a DUI, termination when a disability is involved, managing unauthorized workplace participation, and recouping training costs after a termination.

Ep. 308 This is our last show in 2024, but it’s jam packed with insights you’ll be mulling over at least through the New Year. That’s because Mike Mac is back to project compensation trends of 2025, and we also have the latest on the MO PROP A suit directly from the attorney who wrote it!

Are you ready for an employee retention success story? One that likely hits close to home? Today, we spotlight PLZ’s Regional HR Director Karen Price, and hear how she went from identifying issues to establishing a Retention Plan that relies heavily on industry-leading training from AAIM.

Ep. 306 Your 2025 HR budget is set—but does your training plan for the year measure up? Join us and guest Matt Wideman, who has helped AAIM orchestrate the training of over 30,000 employees these past two years, as we cover 5 key questions to help you develop a solid training plan!

We welcome Michael Lourie, an expert in crisis management, who will share his insights on creating an effective crisis response. Learn how to develop a solid crisis framework, spot potential issues before they boil over, and define the key players in your organization to keep employees top-of-mind when things go sideways.

Ep. 304 Are you ready for the federal payroll changes coming down the pipeline? We welcome back Amanda Dussold, payroll tax and fringe benefits expert to break down key updates from the Secure 2.0 Act, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and what you need to know to prepare for 2026. Hint* it might be time to embrace A.I.!

Ep. 303 Now that most of the votes have been tallied, it’s time to look ahead at what the results mean for employers. Join us for a deep dive into the anticipated shifts in labor and employment law based on the 2024 election results, and discover proactive strategies to keep your organization ready for change. Don’t miss this chance to prepare your team for the road ahead!

Ep. 302 Phil and Burt dive into workplace laws up for a vote in key markets. From Florida and Indiana, to Missouri and Illinois, we’re breaking down what’s on the ballot and what it means for HR professionals. Stay tuned to find out which proposed workplace regulations are tricks, and which might be a treat.

Ep. 301 When disaster strikes or missteps make headlines, where does HR stand? From emergency preparedness to cleaning up after unhinged leaders, you won’t want to miss this crucial conversation on HR’s impact when it matters most.

We rest on our laurels just a tad while conquering our 300th episode. But not for long, because we have our special guest Tanya Zion wrapping up our Employee Opinions series with Part 3: Emerging Leader Mentorship and how it’s leading to burnout.  

Election season is here, and the stakes are high—not just for our country but for the future of your workplace. How will the results impact labor laws, employment policies, and your business operations? We'll explore the potential shifts in legislation, the latest trends you need to be aware of, and how both employers and employees can prepare for what's next. Whether you're concerned about wage l...

Ep. 298 We take you on the journey of an HR department, now 4 people strong, that emerged from the controls of Finance. It’s a Member Spotlight shining on the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, a well-oiled, process-driven organization that boasts a workforce of 175 employees. We’ll talk with special guest Amy Lein, CHRO, about the challenges of maintaining that familial feel with a grow...

Ep. 297 "Is trust breaking down in your workplace?” In part 2 of our 3 part series covering the top issues being called out in employee surveys today, we’re diving deep into one of the biggest: trust issues between employees and leadership!  What’s causing the disconnect? Communication breakdowns…The post-pandemic work environment…Or maybe inconsistent management? We’ll be joined by Tanya, who’s o...

We have a powerful conversation lined up with Linea Johnson, founder of The Thrive Shift—a leading advocate for mental health in the workplace. Linea brings her expertise, lived experience, and a passion for creating inclusive work environments to our discussion.  She helps us explore how organizations can elevate their mental health support to the same level as their physical disability standards...

Ep. 295 We're diving into the growing challenge of 'Quick Quitters.' While overall employee engagement is on the rise, there's one group that's proving hard to keep: brand-new hires, especially hourly workers. From wage compression to uninspiring onboarding experiences, we’ll break down reasons why this might be happening, and what employers can do to turn things around. Powered by employee opinio...

With an aging population and declining birth rates driving a potential worker shortage, you’d expect confidence in job security to be at an all-time high. However, many employees are left wondering if “The only thing they have to fear is A.I. itself?” But the most immediate threat to their job is more likely to be their colleague who workshopped some best use cases for AI, not the intelligence its...

We ask the question… "Is your department a victim of organizational stereotyping?” Often, HR is seen as the beating stick, or disciplinarian, whose role is to enforce company policy. Well, it’s time to rethink that notion When our guest Lydia Miller, CHRO at Children’s Home Association took over HR, leadership had bigger plans. By empowering managers with the skills to lead, coach, and inspire, Ly...

In Texas this week, a Federal District Court blocked the FTC’s non-compete rule from taking effect nationwide. Yes, the world of non-competes remains in chaos! While Burt Garland and today’s special guest, Justin Allen, can't paint a complete picture of the ultimate outcomes, they will at least touch up the fence a bit to help make sense of these new developments.  Ogletree’s recent article on the...