Hiring to Firing Podcast

Tracey E. Diamond, Emily Schifter, Troutman Pepper Locke
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Business
  • Semiweekly

What do Emily in Paris, Squid Game, Severance, Ted Lasso, and Moneyball have in common? Find out by listening and subscribing to our Hiring to Firing Podcast hosted by Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter. The pair delve into hot-button labor and employment law issues with unique perspectives drawing on pop culture and hit shows and movies. Stay informed and entertained!

  1. 12h ago

    Pied Piper Problems: How Startups Can Avoid Employment Missteps

    In this episode of Hiring to Firing, hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter explore the employment law fundamentals that help startups build on solid ground from day one, using clips from the TV show Silicon Valley to illustrate common pitfalls. Joined by Alec Miller, general counsel at Turnkey, a Series B crypto infrastructure company, they discuss why most startup employment problems are cheap to prevent and expensive to fix. The conversation covers the importance of clear offer letters and at-will language, independent contractor classification, equity-for-work arrangements, IP assignment and restrictive covenants, must-have workplace policies, wage-and-hour compliance, and best practices for terminations, severance, and layoffs. Tune in to learn how founders can benefit from treating employment counsel as part of the founding team and building compliance into their company before the Series A diligence team comes calling. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  2. Oct 20

    Tangled Up in Title VII: Hairstyle Discrimination in the Workplace

    In this episode of Hiring to Firing, hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter explore the intersection of hair, race, and workplace bias. Joined by Casselle Smith, a partner in Troutman Pepper Locke's White Collar Litigation + Investigations group, and Sarah Mesle, USC professor of writing and author of Tangled: Seven Iconic Moments in White Women’s Hair and What They Tell Us About Power, Pleasure, and Complicity, they examine how hairstyles shape perceptions of professionalism and how unconscious bias can influence hiring and performance management. The conversation traces key hair discrimination litigation and explains how the CROWN Act seeks to close the gaps left by Title VII. Tune in for practical guidance on updating grooming policies, staying current on state and local CROWN Act requirements, and training HR teams and managers to recognize and reduce bias in the workplace. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  3. Oct 6

    Catch Me If You Can: The Fine Print of Background Checks

    In this episode of Hiring to Firing, hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter are joined by their colleague Chris Capurso, counsel in the firm's Financial Services group, to explore background checks and hiring verification through the lens of the 2002 film Catch Me If You Can. Using clips from the movie, they examine how Frank Abagnale Jr.'s ability to project confidence and impersonate professionals raises timely questions about distinguishing genuine competence from a convincing performance, especially as AI tools make it easier for candidates to polish resumes, ace interviews, and complete assessments. The conversation covers the Fair Credit Reporting Act's often-misunderstood scope, the role of consumer reporting agencies, the technical pre-adverse action requirements unique to employment screening, and the growing patchwork of state and local background check laws. Tune in for practical guidance on building thoughtful, consistent, and legally compliant hiring processes that go beyond a candidate's first impression. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  4. Sep 22

    Heartbreak, Hounds, and HR: Rethinking the Modern Leave Policy

    In this episode of Hiring to Firing, hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter explore some of the unconventional forms of leaves of absence that employees are increasingly requesting in today's workplace. Joined by Kate Puccio, deputy general counsel and vice president of people at EMR USA Metal Recycling, they examine the emerging concepts of "heartbreak leave" for employees navigating romantic breakups and "pawternity leave" for those welcoming or grieving a pet. The conversation covers the legal landscape of existing leave obligations under the FMLA, ADA, and various state and local laws, while tackling the practical challenges employers face when considering these unconventional benefits — from documentation hurdles and abuse prevention to the growing administrative burden of multijurisdictional compliance. Tune in for a lively and insightful discussion on how employers can build empathetic, flexible workplace cultures while keeping their leave policies manageable and legally sound. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  5. Sep 1

    Blitzing the Fine Print: What College Football Coach Firings Reveal About Executive Severance

    In this episode of Hiring to Firing, hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter are joined by Josh Gelfand, Troutman Pepper Locke partner from the firm's Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation practice group, to break down the nuts and bolts of executive employment agreements through the lens of high-profile college football coach departures. Using real-world examples — including Jimbo Fisher's record-breaking $76 million buyout from Texas A&M, Mel Tucker's for-cause termination at Michigan State following misconduct allegations, and LSU's ultimately unsuccessful attempt to fire Brian Kelly for cause — the conversation unpacks how provisions like termination for cause, good reason resignations, severance structures, and equity arrangements play out when the stakes are highest. Tune in to gain practical insights into how these contract terms are negotiated, drafted, and disputed, and what lessons everyday executive agreements can draw from the headlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  6. Aug 11

    Rebalancing the Books: Employment Compliance for Financial Services Companies

    In this special crossover episode of Hiring to Firing and The Consumer Finance Podcast, hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter shift from their usual format and team up with Taylor Gess as they map out obligations hiding in plain sight for multistate financial services employers. The conversation covers crafting a legally defensible employee handbook, pay transparency complexities, and wage and hour classification risks. Together, they deliver guidance for banks, fintechs, lenders, and card issuers operating across state lines, in addition to addressing the thorny intersection of earned wage access, remote workers, and the rapidly evolving assortment of AI hiring laws. It is the episode every financial services employer should hear before their next hire, expansion, or employment compliance review. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  7. Jul 28

    What Happens at the Retreat Doesn't Stay at the Retreat

    In this episode of Hiring to Firing, hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter take a close look at the legal landscape surrounding company retreats, inspired by the workplace antics on display at Rockin’ Grandma’s Hot Sauce company retreat in the hidden camera series “Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat.” Joined by Rachel Keene, vice president and assistant general counsel at Accolade, they discuss key considerations for employers when planning an off-site event. The conversation highlights the benefits of retreats for morale, team building, and connection against the very real risks that emerge when professional boundaries begin to blur. They unpack how “mandatory fun” can create real legal exposure, from harassment concerns to employee injuries and wage-and-hour pitfalls that employers often overlook in the excitement of planning. Whether you are a seasoned HR professional or a manager planning your first company outing, this episode provides practical guidance on designing retreats that build culture while minimizing legal risk.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  8. Jul 14

    Beyond BMI: Workplace Bias and Weight-Loss Drugs

    In this episode of Hiring to Firing, hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter examine the evolving issue of weight discrimination in the workplace. Joined by Lynne Wakefield, a partner in Troutman Pepper Locke's Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation practice group, they draw on the medical drama The Pitt to discuss obesity, workplace bias, and legal protections. The discussion explores whether weight or obesity may be protected under federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws, including the unsettled analysis under the Americans with Disabilities Act. They also address key employee benefits considerations surrounding GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. The episode offers practical guidance for employers navigating this complex intersection of workplace fairness and health benefits. Troutman Pepper Locke's Labor + Employment Practice Group provides comprehensive thought leadership through various channels. We regularly issue advisories that offer timely insights into the evolving employment law landscape, and maintain the HiringToFiring.Law Blog, a resource spotlighting best practices for employers. Our Hiring to Firing Podcast, hosted by Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter, delves into pressing labor and employment law topics, drawing unique parallels from pop culture, hit shows, and movies. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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out of 5
6 Ratings

About

What do Emily in Paris, Squid Game, Severance, Ted Lasso, and Moneyball have in common? Find out by listening and subscribing to our Hiring to Firing Podcast hosted by Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter. The pair delve into hot-button labor and employment law issues with unique perspectives drawing on pop culture and hit shows and movies. Stay informed and entertained!

Information

  • Creator
    Tracey E. Diamond, Emily Schifter, Troutman Pepper Locke
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    89
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2022-2026 Troutman Pepper Locke LLP. All Rights Reserved.
  • Show Website
    Hiring to Firing Podcast

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