Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

Pam Howland
  • 5.0 (12)
  • Management
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. Sep 9

    Exempt or Non-Exempt? Getting Employee Classification Right

    Wage and hour compliance can get complicated quickly — and getting employee classifications wrong can be costly. In this episode of Ground Rules, Pam Howland, Jennifer Walrath, and Doug Plass break down what employers need to know about exempt and non-exempt employees, including the most common white-collar exemptions, salary and duties tests, timekeeping requirements, and the risks that come with misclassification. They also discuss what employers can do now to review their practices, where common wage-and-hour trouble spots arise, and why it is much better to identify a potential issue before a Department of Labor audit or lawsuit brings it to your attention. If it has been a while since you reviewed your employee classifications, this episode is a good place to start. *Ground Rules hosts and guests are not providing legal advice in this podcast. Do not act upon any of the information discussed in this podcast without first consulting a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.* 📖 Available now on Amazon! Law for Leaders: The Roadmap Every Leader Needs to Know to Avoid Workplace Claims and Lawsuits Written for busy leaders who need straightforward answers, this guide cuts through legal complexity to deliver fundamental knowledge that can help protect your business. Don't risk a preventable lawsuit - arm yourself with the practical wisdom that only comes from decades of courtroom experience. Purchase your copy here! Don't miss out! 🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn 📧 Sign up for our email blast 📚 Learn more about our Law for Leaders Training Program 👥 Learn more about your Hosts and Idaho Employment Lawyers

  2. Sep 2

    Summary Judgment: What It Takes to Win Before Trial

    After a recent summary judgment win for one of our clients, we’re taking a closer look at one of the most important—and potentially case-changing—stages of litigation. Pam Howland, Jennifer Walrath, and Doug Plass break down what summary judgment is, why even a partial win can significantly change the course of a case, and what goes into building a strong argument. They also discuss why the policies, documentation, and decisions employers make long before litigation begins can become critical when it’s time to defend a case. *Ground Rules hosts and guests are not providing legal advice in this podcast. Do not act upon any of the information discussed in this podcast without first consulting a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.* 📖 Available now on Amazon! Law for Leaders: The Roadmap Every Leader Needs to Know to Avoid Workplace Claims and Lawsuits Written for busy leaders who need straightforward answers, this guide cuts through legal complexity to deliver fundamental knowledge that can help protect your business. Don't risk a preventable lawsuit - arm yourself with the practical wisdom that only comes from decades of courtroom experience. Purchase your copy here! Don't miss out! 🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn 📧 Sign up for our email blast 📚 Learn more about our Law for Leaders Training Program 👥 Learn more about your Hosts and Idaho Employment Lawyers

  3. Aug 26

    Summer 2026 Employment Law Trends: What We’re Seeing

    As summer winds down, Pam Howland, Jennifer Walrath, and Doug Plass compare notes on the employment law trends that have been showing up most often in their work. In this episode, they discuss the increase in employment claims and litigation, wage and hour issues, ADA and leave-related accommodation challenges, shifting priorities at the EEOC, DOL, and NLRB, the growing role of AI in workplace decisions, and why texts, DMs, and other informal communications can become important evidence when disputes arise. They also look ahead to the issues employers should continue watching as 2026 unfolds. *Ground Rules hosts and guests are not providing legal advice in this podcast. Do not act upon any of the information discussed in this podcast without first consulting a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.* 📖 Available now on Amazon! Law for Leaders: The Roadmap Every Leader Needs to Know to Avoid Workplace Claims and Lawsuits Written for busy leaders who need straightforward answers, this guide cuts through legal complexity to deliver fundamental knowledge that can help protect your business. Don't risk a preventable lawsuit - arm yourself with the practical wisdom that only comes from decades of courtroom experience. Purchase your copy here! Don't miss out! 🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn 📧 Sign up for our email blast 📚 Learn more about our Law for Leaders Training Program 👥 Learn more about your Hosts and Idaho Employment Lawyers

  4. Aug 19

    Apple v. OpenAI: What Employers Can Learn About Protecting Trade Secrets

    Apple’s recent lawsuit against OpenAI puts a spotlight on an issue employers of every size face: what happens when an employee leaves—and confidential information goes with them? Pam Howland, Jennifer Walrath, and Laegan Meyers break down the allegations and discuss practical steps employers can take to protect confidential information and trade secrets, from stronger policies and agreements to onboarding, offboarding, and hiring employees from competitors. They also explore what employers should do when they suspect information has been taken—and why acting quickly matters. *Ground Rules hosts and guests are not providing legal advice in this podcast. Do not act upon any of the information discussed in this podcast without first consulting a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.* 📖 Available now on Amazon! Law for Leaders: The Roadmap Every Leader Needs to Know to Avoid Workplace Claims and Lawsuits Written for busy leaders who need straightforward answers, this guide cuts through legal complexity to deliver fundamental knowledge that can help protect your business. Don't risk a preventable lawsuit - arm yourself with the practical wisdom that only comes from decades of courtroom experience. Purchase your copy here! Don't miss out! 🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn 📧 Sign up for our email blast 📚 Learn more about our Law for Leaders Training Program 👥 Learn more about your Hosts and Idaho Employment Lawyers

  5. Aug 12

    Collaborating Across Generations: Building a Stronger Workplace

    For the first time, employers may have as many as six generations represented in the workforce—each bringing different experiences, communication preferences, expectations, and perspectives to work. But those differences don’t have to create division. In this episode of Ground Rules, Pam Howland, Jennifer Walrath, and Doug Plass are joined by Ann Smith of Guide and Grow Consulting to discuss how employers can build stronger, more collaborative multigenerational workplaces. They explore communication preferences, setting clear expectations, avoiding generational stereotypes and bias, training employees on new technology, mentorship and reverse mentorship, and creating opportunities for employees across generations to learn from one another. They also discuss the legal risks that can arise when communication breaks down—including age discrimination claims, workplace incivility, and the growing role of texts, Teams messages, and other electronic communications in employment litigation. *Ground Rules hosts and guests are not providing legal advice in this podcast. Do not act upon any of the information discussed in this podcast without first consulting a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.* 📖 Available now on Amazon! Law for Leaders: The Roadmap Every Leader Needs to Know to Avoid Workplace Claims and Lawsuits Written for busy leaders who need straightforward answers, this guide cuts through legal complexity to deliver fundamental knowledge that can help protect your business. Don't risk a preventable lawsuit - arm yourself with the practical wisdom that only comes from decades of courtroom experience. Purchase your copy here! Don't miss out! 🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn 📧 Sign up for our email blast 📚 Learn more about our Law for Leaders Training Program 👥 Learn more about your Hosts and Idaho Employment Lawyers

  6. Aug 5

    Meet Laegan Meyers + Lessons from Employment Litigation

    This week, Pam Howland and Jennifer Walrath welcome Idaho Employment Lawyers' newest attorney, Laegan Meyers, to Ground Rules. Drawing on her experience defending employers in litigation, Laegan shares what she sees once a workplace dispute reaches the courtroom—and, more importantly, what employers can do now to reduce the chances of ever getting there. From documentation and employee handbooks to workplace communications and discovery, the conversation explores how everyday decisions can become critical evidence in litigation. You'll also hear why contemporaneous documentation matters, what employers should know about Teams, Slack, emails, and text messages, and why proactive compliance is almost always less expensive than defending a lawsuit. If you're looking for practical ways to better protect your organization—and get to know IEL's newest attorney along the way—this episode is a great place to start. *Ground Rules hosts and guests are not providing legal advice in this podcast. Do not act upon any of the information discussed in this podcast without first consulting a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.* 📖 Available now on Amazon! Law for Leaders: The Roadmap Every Leader Needs to Know to Avoid Workplace Claims and Lawsuits Written for busy leaders who need straightforward answers, this guide cuts through legal complexity to deliver fundamental knowledge that can help protect your business. Don't risk a preventable lawsuit - arm yourself with the practical wisdom that only comes from decades of courtroom experience. Purchase your copy here! Don't miss out! 🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn 📧 Sign up for our email blast 📚 Learn more about our Law for Leaders Training Program 👥 Learn more about your Hosts and Idaho Employment Lawyers

  7. Jul 29

    The Biggest Mistakes Supervisors Make

    Every supervisor makes mistakes—but some mistakes are far more costly than others. In this episode of Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break, Pam Howland, Jennifer Walrath, Doug Plass, and special guest Megan Renaldo of Renaldo & Co. compare notes on the leadership and compliance issues they see most often when working with employers. Together, they discuss:  Why waiting too long to address performance problems creates bigger issues  The importance of documentation that actually supports employment decisions  Why supervisors need to know their organization's policies—not just HR  Common ADA, accommodation, and compliance mistakes that lead to legal claims  How poor communication and unclear expectations impact both team performance and legal risk  Why better hiring starts with better job descriptions Whether you're a supervisor, HR professional, or business leader, this episode offers practical strategies to build stronger leaders, improve team performance, and reduce employment law risk—all before problems end up in the courtroom.  *Ground Rules hosts and guests are not providing legal advice in this podcast. Do not act upon any of the information discussed in this podcast without first consulting a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.* 📖 Available now on Amazon! Law for Leaders: The Roadmap Every Leader Needs to Know to Avoid Workplace Claims and Lawsuits Written for busy leaders who need straightforward answers, this guide cuts through legal complexity to deliver fundamental knowledge that can help protect your business. Don't risk a preventable lawsuit - arm yourself with the practical wisdom that only comes from decades of courtroom experience. Purchase your copy here! Don't miss out! 🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn 📧 Sign up for our email blast 📚 Learn more about our Law for Leaders Training Program 👥 Learn more about your Hosts and Idaho Employment Lawyers

  8. Jul 22

    What the Latest IHRC Data Means for Idaho Employers

    The Idaho Human Rights Commission's latest annual report reveals a sharp increase in discrimination and harassment claims—but the numbers tell a more nuanced story than the headlines suggest. In this episode, Pam Howland, Jennifer Walrath, and Doug Plass break down the FY2026 IHRC data, including the continued rise in disability accommodation claims, significant growth in pregnancy and sex discrimination allegations, and increasing religion and national origin complaints. They also discuss one encouraging statistic many employers overlook: nearly 79% of cases end with a finding of no probable cause, and mediation continues to resolve the vast majority of disputes successfully. If you're an Idaho employer, HR professional, or supervisor, this episode will help you understand what these trends mean for your workplace and where to focus your compliance efforts before problems become legal claims. *Ground Rules hosts and guests are not providing legal advice in this podcast. Do not act upon any of the information discussed in this podcast without first consulting a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.* 📖 Available now on Amazon! Law for Leaders: The Roadmap Every Leader Needs to Know to Avoid Workplace Claims and Lawsuits Written for busy leaders who need straightforward answers, this guide cuts through legal complexity to deliver fundamental knowledge that can help protect your business. Don't risk a preventable lawsuit - arm yourself with the practical wisdom that only comes from decades of courtroom experience. Purchase your copy here! Don't miss out! 🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn 📧 Sign up for our email blast 📚 Learn more about our Law for Leaders Training Program 👥 Learn more about your Hosts and Idaho Employment Lawyers

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

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.

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