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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
23 episodes
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
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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
EEOC Guidance and Understanding Workplace Harassment
In this episode, Pam, Jennifer, and Doug discuss the critical issue of workplace harassment, focusing on the EEOC Checklists and Chart of Risk Factors for Employers. They explore how power disparities, coarsened social discourse, and alcohol co...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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28:59
The Risks of Romance in the Workplace
In this episode of Ground Rules, the hosts discuss the complexities of love in the workplace, particularly around the legal implications of workplace romances. They explore the concept of power disparity, the role of the EEOC in addressing work...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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24:36
DEI Guidelines: Are Equity and Inclusion Going Away? With Jennifer Hooft
In this episode, the hosts and special guest Jennifer Hooft discuss the recent executive orders related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and their implications for employers and business practices. They explore the importance of mainta...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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25:58
Navigating EEOC Trends: Workplace Investigations
In this episode, the hosts discuss the role of the EEOC in enforcing employment laws and the importance of workplace investigations. They highlight recent trends in EEOC cases, particularly regarding employers' failures to adequately inv...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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22:50
Employment Law Unpacked: Employer and Employee Perspectives with Emily MacMaster
In this episode of Ground Rules, the hosts discuss various aspects of employment law with guest Emily McMaster, who provides insights from her experience representing both employers and employees. The conversation covers trends in employment la...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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31:18
What Employers Need to Know for 2025
In this episode, Pam, Jennifer, and Doug discuss significant changes in employment law that occurred in 2024 and what to expect in 2025. They cover various topics including new EEOC regulations, the implications of the DOL's salary basis thresh...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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21:23
Welcome to Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break
In this inaugural episode of the Ground Rules podcast, hosts Pam Howland, Doug Plass, and Jennifer Walrath discuss the importance of understanding employment law to avoid litigation. They share insights from their experiences as employment lawy...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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18:00