Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

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Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

Pam Howland

51 episodes

1 day ago

2026 is already shaping up to be a year of significant change in employment law. In this episode of Ground Rules, our attorneys break down the key trends emerging from 2025 and what they signal for employers moving forward — including shifting EEOC enforcement priorities, evolving discrimination claims, PWFA and ADA overlap, off-duty social media issues, workplace investigations, AI risks, and economic pressures impacting employment decisions. Whether you’re an HR professional, business owner...

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Entrepreneurship

All content for Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break is the property of Pam Howland and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

2026 is already shaping up to be a year of significant change in employment law. In this episode of Ground Rules, our attorneys break down the key trends emerging from 2025 and what they signal for employers moving forward — including shifting EEOC enforcement priorities, evolving discrimination claims, PWFA and ADA overlap, off-duty social media issues, workplace investigations, AI risks, and economic pressures impacting employment decisions. Whether you’re an HR professional, business owner...

Show more...

Entrepreneurship

Episodes (20/51)

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

Employment Law in 2026: What Employers Need to Be Watching Now

2026 is already shaping up to be a year of significant change in employment law. In this episode of Ground Rules, our attorneys break down the key trends emerging from 2025 and what they signal for employers moving forward — including shifting EEOC enforcement priorities, evolving discrimination claims, PWFA and ADA overlap, off-duty social media issues, workplace investigations, AI risks, and economic pressures impacting employment decisions. Whether you’re an HR professional, business owner...

2 days ago

33 minutes

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

What One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3) Means for Employers

The “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OB3), signed into law in 2025, includes changes that could impact employers in 2026 — even though it isn’t traditionally viewed as employment legislation. In this episode of Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break, Pam Howland is joined by Megan Egbert, an attorney with Idaho Employment Lawyers and an Idaho state legislator, to break down the OB3 provisions employers should be paying attention to. They discuss topics including no tax on tips, no tax o...

3 weeks ago

32 minutes

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

Holiday Parties & Hidden Legal Risks

Holiday parties are meant to boost morale—not create legal problems. But every year, employers find themselves dealing with harassment complaints, wage and hour surprises, and liability issues they didn’t see coming. In this episode of Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break, Pam Howland, Jennifer Walrath, and Doug Plass break down the most common (and costly) compliance risks tied to workplace holiday events. From alcohol-related harassment claims to wage and hour traps, workers’...

1 month ago

20 minutes

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

New EEOC Guidance: Anti-American National Origin Discrimination

In this episode, Pam, Doug, and Jennifer walk through the EEOC’s newly released technical assistance bulletin addressing national origin discrimination. The team highlights why the bulletin matters, how it fits into broader enforcement trends, and what employers should keep in mind when navigating workplaces that include a mix of U.S. workers, visa holders, and migrant or foreign labor. Drawing from recent examples and the EEOC’s stated priorities, the conversation focuses on practical consid...

1 month ago

26 minutes

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

The Truth About Trials: Unpredictability, Cost, and Why to Stay Out of Court

In this episode of Ground Rules, Pam and Jennifer pull back the curtain on what it’s really like to take an employment case to trial. Fresh off a seven-day jury trial, they break down the unpredictability, cost, and intense pressure that come with litigation — and why avoiding the courtroom should be a top priority for employers. From unexpected evidentiary rulings to long timelines, jury wild cards, and the staggering emotional and financial toll on employers, Pam and Jennifer share real sto...

1 month ago

27 minutes

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

FMLA 101: What Every Employer Needs to Get Right

In this episode of Ground Rules, Pam, Jennifer, and Megan take a practical, employer-focused look at one of the most frequently used — and frequently misunderstood — workplace laws: the Family and Medical Leave Act. Megan shares insights from her recent deep dive into FMLA’s history, purpose, and modern application, including how FMLA interacts with the ADA, workers’ compensation, and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. The team breaks down eligibility rules, documentation requirements, common...

1 month ago

36 minutes

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

How Emotional Intelligence Protects Your Organization

In this episode of Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break, Pam, Jennifer, and Doug sit down with keynote speaker and executive coach Michelle Choate to explore how emotional intelligence (EQ) directly shapes compliance, culture, and leadership effectiveness in today’s workplaces. From understanding the science behind emotions to recognizing how fear responses drive behavior, Michelle explains how emotionally intelligent leaders can prevent legal risk, improve employee engagement,...

1 month ago

38 minutes

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

Workplace Drug Testing: Understanding Rights, Risks, and Requirements

When it comes to drug and alcohol testing, employers must balance safety, compliance, and employee rights. In this episode, Pam Howland, Jennifer Walrath, and Doug Plass discuss when testing is appropriate, what policies should include, and how documentation can protect both employers and employees. They also unpack the Lanier v. City of Woodburn case, Idaho’s Drug-Free Workplace Act, and practical tips for handling reasonable suspicion situations. Whether you’re creating a policy or managing...

2 months ago

27 minutes

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

Why This Supreme Court Case Made It Easier to Sue Your Employer

In this episode of Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break, Pam Howland sits down with Doug Plass and Jennifer Walrath to unpack the ripple effects of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2024 decision in Muldrow v. City of St. Louis. They walk through surprising scenarios that triggered claims — from performance improvement plans to reclassifications — and discuss what this means for HR teams and supervisors moving forward. You’ll hear how this single decision, which lowered the bar from “si...

2 months ago

25 minutes

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

LGBTQ+ Protections: What’s Actually Changed (and What Hasn’t)

The rules around LGBTQ+ protections in the workplace seem to shift every news cycle—but what’s the real legal landscape for employers in late 2025? Pam, Jennifer, and Doug unpack where Bostock v. Clayton County still stands, how recent executive orders and EEOC actions are creating confusion, and what employers should keep in mind when religious accommodations come into play. They also share practical takeaways for navigating these complex, often emotionally charged issues—like why “respectfu...

2 months ago

33 minutes

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

When the DOL Knocks: How to Handle a Wage & Hour Audit

What should you do if the Department of Labor shows up at your door? In this episode of Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break, Pam Howland sits down with attorneys Doug Plass and Jennifer Walrith to discuss how employers can prepare for — and respond to — a DOL wage and hour audit. They cover what to expect during an investigation, how to stay organized and cooperative without oversharing, and why having a plan (and your attorney’s number on speed dial) can make all the differen...

2 months ago

18 minutes

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

Wage & Hour 101: Avoiding Claims Before They Start

In this episode of Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break, attorneys Pam Howland, Doug Plass, and Jennifer Walrath sit down to unpack one of the most common sources of employer headaches — wage and hour compliance. They cover what every employer should know about: Properly classifying employees as exempt or non-exemptKeeping accurate time and pay recordsCalculating overtime Handling final paychecks, deductions, and safe harbor policiesIdaho-specific wage laws to keep in mind...

3 months ago

24 minutes

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

Inside Our Workplace Investigations Workshop: The “Why” Behind Investigations

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 against claims, and why it’s one of the most effective tools for protecting your organization and e...

3 months ago

32 minutes

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

Re-Release: Retaliation Claims: What Employers Need to Know

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 not providing legal advice in this podcast. Do not act upon any of the information discussed in thi...

3 months ago

26 minutes

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

Social Media Discipline in a Dicey Political Climate

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 can businesses protect their reputation without overstepping?How far can discipline go before liabi...

3 months ago

31 minutes

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

When One Accommodation Isn’t Enough

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 mental health, substance use, and physical health conditions, they explore: How to manage overlapping...

4 months ago

24 minutes

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

AI in the Hiring Process—Opportunities, Risks, and What Employers Need to Know

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 patchwork of state and local rules, we unpack the legal risks, what’s on (and off) the books federally, an...

4 months ago

27 minutes

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

Navigating 2025 HR Trends with Monica Frame

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 pressures to the rise of AI in HR functions, increasing leave and accommodation requests, the disc...

4 months ago

39 minutes

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

LGBTQ+ Workplace Protections in Flux: What Employers Need to Know

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 answers. The hosts break down what’s happening now, what employers can and cannot rely on, and how t...

4 months ago

25 minutes

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

Employment Agreements: When, Why, and How to Use Them

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, they address confidentiality and non-compete provisions, legal compliance, and the need for regular ...

4 months ago

25 minutes