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Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break
Hosted by seasoned attorney Pam Howland, alongside attorneys Jennifer Walrath and Doug Plass, Ground Rules delivers employment law insights in bite-sized weekly episodes. With decades of courtroom experience, this dynamic trio has seen the costly consequences of legal missteps for employers—and they're here to help you avoid them.
Perfect for business owners, HR professionals, and supervisors, this podcast is your go-to guide for staying ahead of the curve on employment law, fostering compliant workplaces, and keeping your business out of the courthouse. Grab your coffee, tune in, and gain practical tips to protect and empower your team.
Episodes
32 episodes
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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25:40
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From Complaint to Conclusion: A Practical Guide to Workplace Investigations
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 investigation...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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37:55
The Kiss Cam Scandal: Lessons For Employers
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 sup...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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27:08
Severance Agreements 101: Managing Risk on the Way Out
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, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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30:27
The Device Dilemma: Work Phones vs. Personal Phones in the Workplace
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,...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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29:48
What Employers Need to Know About ‘Regarded As’ Disability
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, an...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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28:35
Unlimited PTO: Great Perk or HR Nightmare
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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21:13
When an Employee Gets Arrested: What Employers Can (and Can’t) Do
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 e...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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23:43
Why Lawsuits Can't Just Disappear
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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25:51
The Psychology Behind Workplace Decisions
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 behaviora...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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40:48
The Case for Coaching: How Clear Communication Protects Your Business
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 performanc...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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34:04
Respect at Work: How Civility Shapes Culture—and Claims
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,...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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40:30
AI at Work: Innovation, Risk, and Employer Responsibility
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, a...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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25:38
Retaliation Claims: What Employers Need to Know
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% o...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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26:47
Ideas at Work: Where Employment and Patent Law Meet
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. Tog...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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37:06
Navigating Mental Health in the Workplace
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 requesti...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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34:51
EEOC in Flux: What Employers Need to Know Now
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 Fair...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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28:19
Religious Accommodations at Work: Balancing Beliefs and Business
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 employ...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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23:21
When Employees Secretly Work Two Jobs: Is ‘Overemployment’ a Fireable Offense?
In this episode of Ground Rules, the hosts discuss the implications of employees working second jobs, particularly in remote work settings. They explore the legal considerations, the importance of having clear policies in place, and the need fo...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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23:30
Understanding Employer Obligations Under the PWFA
This conversation provides a comprehensive overview of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), discussing its implications, scope, and the responsibilities of employers. The hosts emphasize the misleading nature of the act's name, the importa...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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30:19
Responding To IHRC Complaints The Right Way: Insights From Ben Earwicker
In this episode, the hosts sit down with Ben Earwicker, Director of the Idaho Human Rights Commission (IHRC), to discuss best practices for responding to IHRC complaints, common pitfalls, and what employers can expect when working with the Comm...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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38:17
Employers & Immigration: A Changing Landscape with J.J. Despain
In this episode of Ground Rules, the hosts are joined by special guest J.J. Despain, an immigration attorney from Wilner O’Reilly. The discussion focuses on key immigration issues affecting employers in 2025, including increased ...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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31:36
Handbooks 101: Avoiding Legal Pitfalls & Setting Expectations
In this conversation, the hosts discuss the critical role of employee handbooks in navigating employment law and workplace operations. They emphasize the importance of having updated policies to address new laws, workplace culture, and the need...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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29:00
Shifting EEOC Trends: Understanding the Impact of Executive Orders
In this episode, host Pam, Jennifer, and Doug discuss the latest trends and updates from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). They explore recent executive orders, including one rolling back certain gender identity protecti...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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28:10
Updates from the Idaho Legislature with Megan Egbert
In this episode of Ground Rules, the hosts discuss the current legislative landscape in Idaho and its implications for employers. Special guest Megan Egbert, a representative with the Idaho Legislature, shares insights on various topics includi...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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27:31