The Employment Huddle returns for 2026, as Samantha and Guy tackle ICE workplace visits and understanding warrant types, onboarding essentials, New York's sexual harassment training requirements, the new fair credit report prohibition, arbitration agreements, AI usage policies, New York City's upcoming 32-hour unpaid sick leave requirement, and more. Water Cooler Talk debates whether $100,000 extra is worth giving up remote work.

Recording Note: This episode was recorded on January 21, 2026, and does not include discussion of any ICE-related developments in Minnesota or other policy changes that occurred after the recording date.

On this episode of the Employment Huddle, Samantha and Guy discuss a potential amendment to New York City's sick leave law, New York State's prenatal leave, Rhode Island’s classifying menopause as a disability, workplace relationships, the FTC's latest stance on non-compete agreements, legal and tax issues for multi-state employees, social media policies, and more. Finally, Water Cooler Talk does a dive deep on potential hobbies.

In this episode of the Employment Huddle, Guy and Samantha discuss various employment law topics relevant to the summer season, including employer responsibilities during summer events, monitoring sick leave patterns, managing PTO requests, and navigating religious accommodations. They also delve into the complexities of political speech in the workplace, the intersection of religion and politics, and the implications of layoffs on discrimination claims.

In the premiere video episode of the Employment Huddle podcast, Samantha and Guy discuss various aspects of workplace culture, including hugging in the office, the implications of social media interactions among coworkers, and the complexities of accommodating religious practices in the workplace. They navigate the complexities of accommodating employee requests, particularly in the context of religious and medical needs, while exploring the challenges of undue hardship and the need for advance notice in accommodation requests. Water Cooler Talk shifts to spring time activities, wedding planning and reviewing song submissions for Samantha’s upcoming wedding.

In the first episode of 2025, Guy and Samantha discuss various workplace issues, including the implications of romantic relationships in the workplace, new policies regarding prenatal leave and lactation breaks, mandatory sexual harassment training, updates on minimum wage and DEI policies, and the complexities of at-will employment. Water cooler talk touches on the societal pressures surrounding Valentine's Day, exploring themes of inclusion and the emotional impact on individuals who may feel left out.

In the first part of our end of year episode, Sam and Guy discuss the importance of aligning handbook policies with actual practices, especially regarding progressive discipline and leave policies. They also discuss key updates involving paid prenatal personal leave in New York State, paid lactation breaks, and forum selection clauses in employment agreements.

In this episode, we discuss the FTC ban on non-compete agreements being struck down, more garden leave provision recommendations, and the rise of artificial intelligence in the workforce.

Samantha and Guy discuss the potential impact of the FTC ban on non-compete agreements, stress the importance of revisiting employment agreements, and review changes in laws related to parental leave, lactation breaks, and pregnancy discrimination in New York State. Plus, they discuss plans for the upcoming July 4th holiday and Samantha provides a wedding planning update.

Samantha and Guy record an emergency episode to discuss the recent ban on noncompete agreements by the FTC. They discuss the details of the ban, how it affects current noncompete agreements, and what it means for non-solicitation agreements, garden leave, and other employment policies.

In this episode, Sam and Guy go back to basics with Employment Law 101. They discuss misconceptions about hostile work environments, retaliation, and the accommodation process for employees with disabilities. They also discuss the need for clear job descriptions, understanding exempt vs. nonexempt employees, and the significance of various employment agreements. And during, Water Cooler Talk, they discuss their favorite places to travel for a weekend getaway.