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. Oct 7

    EEOC Enforcement in Action: Recent Cases and Employer Takeaways

    What has the EEOC been up to lately? In this episode of Ground Rules, Jennifer Walrath, Doug Plass and Laegan Myers sit down to discuss recent EEOC lawsuits, settlements, and enforcement activity. From age discrimination and disability accommodations to pregnancy-related leave and religious accommodation requests, the team breaks down several recent cases and what employers can learn from them. They also discuss the EEOC's apparent increased focus on religious discrimination and why employers should pay attention to the overlap between different employment laws. The takeaway? Understanding your obligations before an issue arises can go a long way toward avoiding costly mistakes. Plus, hear about upcoming IEL trainings and opportunities to stay current on employment law developments. *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 30

    The Employer’s End-of-Year Checklist

    The end of 2026 is coming up quickly, but there is still plenty for employers to think about before the year wraps up. In this episode of Ground Rules, Pam Howland, Jennifer Walrath, and Doug Plass run through an end-of-year checklist for employers, including handbook updates, cold and flu season, workplace holiday parties, accommodations, and remote work considerations. They also talk about newer issues that may be worth revisiting in your policies, from AI and social media to technology-related harassment and remote-work expectations. Plus, the IEL team has a busy fall ahead! Pam, Jennifer, and Doug share where you can find Idaho Employment Lawyers at conferences, trainings, and events over the next few months. *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. Sep 23

    Reverse Discrimination: The EEOC's Latest Message to Employers

    Reverse discrimination isn't a new legal concept, but recent EEOC activity is bringing renewed attention to claims employers may not be accustomed to seeing. In this episode of Ground Rules, Pam Howland, Jennifer Walrath, and Doug Plass unpack a recent message from EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas about anti-American discrimination and discuss how it fits into the agency's broader enforcement priorities. From national origin discrimination and DEI initiatives to recent Title VII cases, they explore what these developments mean for employers. The conversation also highlights an important takeaway: employers need to take all discrimination complaints seriously, regardless of who brings them. Are your supervisors prepared to recognize, investigate, and respond to these 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

  4. Sep 16

    When Substance Use Shows Up at Work

    Alcohol and drug issues in the workplace can put employers in a difficult position: act too quickly and you may make assumptions you shouldn’t; wait too long and you could create safety or liability concerns. In this episode of Ground Rules, Pam Howland, Jennifer Walrath, and Doug Plass break down what employers should be thinking about when substance use or suspected impairment enters the workplace. They discuss the overlap with the ADA and FMLA, drug testing and reasonable suspicion, the importance of documentation, and why employers need clear policies and procedures in place before an issue arises. They also share some of the common mistakes they see employers make—from assuming an employee is impaired to ignoring warning signs altogether—and why supervisors need to know what to do when these situations happen in real time. *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. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

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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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