In episode 187, Coffey talks with Leah Stiegler about best practices for the intake process for workplace
investigations.

They discuss when employers must investigate complaints versus when they can decline; examples of
investigations that revealed unexpected findings; handling confidentiality requests from complainants;
documentation requirements for complaints and investigations; managing employees who don't want
formal investigations; proper record retention practices.

Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more
information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at
https://imperativeinfo.com.

If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-
approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit
https://goodmorninghr.com.

About our Guest:

Leah can walk employers through any workplace situation. From complex personnel matters, to
implementing client-specific performance management practices, Leah advises employers to navigate
these issues to keep them out of court. Her counseling covers the entire employment spectrum:
recruitment, onboarding, workplace culture, pay equity audits, RIFs, terminations and severance
packages. Leah handles workplace investigations and defends actions before administrative agencies
such as the EEOC, DOL, and NLRB. Leah has extensive litigation experience, defending employers in state
and federal court on claims including but not limited to: Breach of employment agreements
Harassment, discrimination, and retaliation (Title VII) Whistleblower complaints ADA or religious-based
failure to accommodate claims FMLA non-compliance Workplace violence and negligent supervision
FLSA unpaid overtime, misclassification and off-the-clock claims Workplace safety, OSHA, or VOSH
actions.

Leah also represents employers navigating union issues, labor relations arbitrations and collective
bargaining. Every workforce loves Leah's dynamic public speaking style. Having traveled the Mid-Atlantic
to train front-line employees, upper management, HR and other industry professionals, Leah creates
custom workforce training programs with her team and has fun doing it!
Leah also maintains a higher education practice. She provides day-to-day compliance advice to public
and private higher ed institutions on employment and student-related matters. These include navigating
Title VII, Title IX, and code of conduct investigations, faculty, administrative, and athletic coach contracts
and severance packages, tenure and promotion processes, and pay equity audits. Leah also trains school
leadership, such as Deans and Chairs, on improving documentation and engaging in performance
management of faculty.

To see Leah in action, check out What's the Tea in L&E!
Leah is perpetually single with lots of free time to fine-tune her stand-up comedy routine. When not in
the office, you can find Leah crossing up (and trash talking) opponents on the basketball court or busting
out a less-technical, overly passionate Moon Walk at hip hop class.
Leah Stiegler can be reached at
https://www.woodsrogers.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-stiegler-28aa7a62/

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and
registered yoga teacher.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse
clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-
money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate
clients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private
estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Imperative has been named a Best Places to Work, the Texas Association of Business’ small business of
the year, and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike shares his insight from 25+ years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where
each week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers,
shareholders, and community.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence by FW, Inc. and has twice been recognized as
the North Texas HR Professional of the Year.

Mike serves as a board member of a number of organizations, including the Texas State Council, where
he serves Texas’ 31 SHRM chapters as State Director-Elect; Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County; the
Texas Association of Business; and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, where he is chair of the
Talent Committee.

Mike is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute
and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He is also a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher
(RYT-200) and teaches multiple times each week.

Mike and his very patient wife of 28 years are empty nesters in Fort Worth.

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify when informal complaints trigger an organization's duty to investigate
2. Develop effective intake procedures that protect both the organization and complainant while
maintaining appropriate documentation
3. Implement systematic investigation processes that follow proper scope and documentation
protocols regardless of complaint severity

In episode 186, Coffey talks with Mark Mohammadpour about creating workplace cultures that prioritize employee well-being.

They discuss the evolution of workplace relationships post-pandemic and the importance of well-being beyond salary; the cost implications of employee turnover; the four essential workspaces needed for modern employees (office, home, social spaces, and nature); the importance of having clear purposes for in-office work requirements; how to measure and improve employee well-being across physical, mental, career, community, and financial dimensions; the critical role of consistent communication throughout the employee journey; the value of understanding customer needs when making workplace decisions; the importance of benefits awareness and usage in employee satisfaction.

Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.

If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.

About our Guest:

Mark Mohammadpour, APR, Fellow PRSA (he/him): After spending his communications career leading award-winning programs for Adobe, Microsoft, and the U.S. Army, and after losing and keeping off 150 pounds over the last 15 years, Mark founded Chasing the Sun to empower people to shine. Chasing the Sun helps companies design their Culture of Well-being so they can retain healthy employees and create a healthy bottom line. The funniest person he knows is his incredible wife, Christine, and he'll talk to you all day about his love for soccer, Peloton, and their sweet labradoodle Molly. Learn more about Mark and Chasing the Sun in his intro video reel.

Mark Mohammadpour can be reached at 

https://www.chasingthesunpdx.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmohammadpour/

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and registered yoga teacher.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate clients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Imperative has been named a Best Places to Work, the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year, and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike shares his insight from 25+ years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where each week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers, shareholders, and community.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence by FW, Inc. and has twice been recognized as the North Texas HR Professional of the Year.

Mike serves as a board member of a number of organizations, including the Texas State Council, where he serves Texas’ 31 SHRM chapters as State Director-Elect; Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County; the Texas Association of Business; and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, where he is chair of the Talent Committee.

Mike is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He is also a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and teaches multiple times each week.

Mike and his very patient wife of 28 years are empty nesters in Fort Worth.

Learning Objectives:

1. Implement a three-part approach to assess organizational wellness by examining benefits usage data, conducting work stream-specific surveys, and holding focused employee conversations
2. Create purposeful in-office experiences that provide unique value different from remote work, particularly for activities like brainstorming and professional development
3. Develop clear, consistent communication strategies throughout the employee journey to ensure understanding of company decisions, benefits, and growth opportunities

In episode 185, Coffey talks with Kara Kelley about the impact of President Trump’s affirmative action order, how not to respond to employee criticism, and nervous candidates.

They discuss the implications for federal contractors following the President’s rescission of Executive Order 11246, eliminating most affirmative action program and DEI requirements; the ongoing relevance of Title VII and other anti-discrimination laws; JP Morgan's return-to-office mandate and their decision to shut down employee feedback channels; how hiring managers should handle candidate nervousness in interviews; and the importance of focusing on job-relevant criteria in hiring decisions.

Links to stuff they talked about are on our website at https://goodmorninghr.com/EP185 and include the following topics:

Trump Rescinds Affirmative Action by Contractors Based on Race, Gender

ENDING ILLEGAL DISCRIMINATION AND RESTORING MERIT-BASED OPPORTUNITY

2025: A Comprehensive Analysis of Class Action Litigation

JPMorgan Just Decided That Employee Feedback Doesn’t Matter. It’s a Spectacularly Bad Decision

Hiring Managers of Reddit: How likely are you to give someone a second chance if they seemed nervous during a phone screening and froze up on one question?

Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.

If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.

About our Guest:

Kara works with Dental Practice Leaders to develop strategic HR systems that engage their team and strengthen their practice. She is the founder and CEO of Clinical HR LLC, a Human Resources advisory firm for dental and medical practices. Kara focuses on cultivating leadership skills, managing employee relations issues, and implementing competitive total rewards systems. She also works with practices to develop employee policies and establish compliant HR systems.

Though Kara initially enrolled in a Marketing degree program, she took an HR course for a general business credit and fell in love with it, eventually earning a B.S. in Business with a concentration in Human Resource Management. Kara is a Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) and holds Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designation from the HR Certification Institute (HRCI). She is also an Everything DiSC Workplace Certified Facilitator and a Five Behaviors Certified Practitioner.

A life-long learner who is never content with the status quo, Kara serves on several professional boards and committees. She is the Co-Chair of the Mentorship Committee and a member of the Legal & Legislative committee for Austin SHRM. Kara is currently serving as President of the National Speakers Association Austin chapter. In 2022, she helped found the ADMC Memorial Foundation, a scholarship program for new practice owners.

Kara Kelley can be reached at

https://www.facebook.com/ClinicalHRLLC 

https://twitter.com/ClinicalHR 

http://www.instagram.com/clinicalhrllc 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/karadkelley

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and registered yoga teacher.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate clients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike shares his insight from 25 years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where each week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers, shareholders, and community.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence by FW, Inc. and has twice been recognized as the North Texas HR Professional of the Year.

Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and is a volunteer leader with the SHRM Texas State Council and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.

Mike is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He is also a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher (RYT-200).

Mike and his very patient wife of 27 years are empty nesters in Fort Worth.

Learning Objectives:

1. Respond to changes in affirmative action and diversity initiative expectations for federal contractors.
2. Develop effective change-management strategies for workplace policy shifts that avoid National Labor Relations Act claims.
3. Build employee-selection systems that focus on job-relevant attributes.

In episode 184, Coffey talks with Lori Saitz about creating workplace environments where meaningful connections improve focus and productivity. 

They discuss the importance of authentic connections in leadership; techniques for managing mental distractions at work; the power of mindful breathing and presence; the impact of gratitude on workplace productivity; the role of corporate culture in supporting employee well-being; strategies for leaders to model and encourage healthy workplace practices.

Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com. 

If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com. 

About our Guest:

Lori Saitz is the leading authority on improving productivity and engagement through workplace well-being. Based on her comprehensive background in wellness and communication strategies, business leaders hire her to deliver workshops on Zen Leadership and Finding Peace of Mind Amidst the Chaos. To combat the $650 billion a year problem of distracted employees, these sessions are designed to give participants tools and techniques for managing energy, embracing change, and fostering resilience in any situation. Oh, and increase productivity by up to 120%.

Listen to Lori on her own podcast too, called Fine is a 4-Letter Word, where she engages guests in conversations about how they've grown from a time in their lives when things were decidedly NOT fine. 

Lori is currently living nomad life while cat sitting in states across the southeast U.S. You can often find her in the weight room at the gym. She also loves cupcakes, Thai food, and classic rock music.

Lori Saitz can be reached at 

https://zenrabbit.com/

http://TheFinePodcast.com

https://www.facebook.com/ZenRabbit

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/

https://www.instagram.com/zen_rabbit/

https://twitter.com/zenrabbit

https://www.youtube.com/ZenRabbitVideo

https://amzn.to/3msIvMz

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and registered yoga teacher.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate clients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike shares his insight from 25 years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where each week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers, shareholders, and community.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence by FW, Inc. and has twice been recognized as the North Texas HR Professional of the Year.

Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and is a volunteer leader with the SHRM Texas State Council and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.

Mike is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He is also a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher (RYT-200).

Mike and his very patient wife of 27 years are empty nesters in Fort Worth.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Implement mindfulness and presence techniques to improve workplace focus and productivity
2. Create authentic connections with team members through meaningful interactions and genuine appreciation
3. Develop a workplace culture that supports employee well-being through modeling and encouraging healthy practices

In episode 183, Coffey talks with Ron Fish about increasing workplace accessibility and inclusion for employees with disabilities, particularly focusing on hidden disabilities.

They discuss the low rate of disability inclusion in corporate DEI initiatives; the reluctance of employees to disclose disabilities due to stigma; the importance of universal design in both physical and digital workplaces; the role of employee resource groups in creating safe spaces for disclosure; the minimal costs associated with most accommodations; the critical importance of making corporate websites ADA-compliant; strategies for managers handling accommodation requests.

Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.

If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.

About our Guest:

Ron Fish is a Global Talent Acquisition Leader and a dedicated advocate for people with disabilities, championing inclusion and accessibility initiatives both within a global software company and across the broader Human Resources community. Inspired by family members who have overcome significant challenges to achieve success, he is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive culture. Ron speaks at conferences, actively working to increase awareness and visibility for the disability community. His efforts have been honored with the Golden Key Award from the Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities and he is a finalist for the HR Standout award at the Carolina HR Summit.

Ron Fish can be reached at

https://www.ere.net/authors/ron-fish

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronfish

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and registered yoga teacher.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate clients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike shares his insight from 25 years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where each week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers, shareholders, and community.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence by FW, Inc. and has twice been recognized as the North Texas HR Professional of the Year.

Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and is a volunteer leader with the SHRM Texas State Council and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.

Mike is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He is also a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher (RYT-200).

Mike and his very patient wife of 27 years are empty nesters in Fort Worth.

Learning Objectives:

1. Implement universal design principles in workplace processes and systems to benefit all employees regardless of ability statu
2. Create safe and supportive environments that encourage disability disclosure while maintaining appropriate confidentiality
3. Develop accessible recruitment and hiring practices that remove barriers for candidates with disabilities

In episode 182, Coffey talks with Nikki Drader-Mazza and Dr. Ginny Lopez-Kidwell about their research on recruiting and integrating autistic employees into roles requiring social interaction, particularly focusing on Goldman Sachs' successful initiative to expand the practice beyond traditional technical positions.

They discuss the concept of "double empathy problem" where both neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals struggle to understand each other's perspectives and communication styles; the challenges autistic individuals face with traditional job postings and interview processes; the importance of skills-based assessments over traditional interviews; the role of coaches in bridging communication gaps between neurotypical and neurodivergent employees; the development and quality of workplace social networks for autistic employees; the benefits of universal design in HR systems to accommodate diverse ways of working; how successful integration of neurodivergent employees can improve overall organizational communication and management practices.

Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.

If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.

About our Guest:

Nikki Drader-Mazza is a PhD Candidate in Management at the University of North Texas.

Dr. Virginie Lopez-Kidwell is the Director of the Doctorate in Business Administration and an Associate Professor at the University of North Texas. Together, Nikki and Ginny study workplace neurodiversity, having focused primarily on the hiring and socialization of neuro-minorities.

Nikki Drader-Mazza and Dr. Ginny Lopez-Kidwell can be reached at

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginnykidwell/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-drader-a3173a78/

https://www.facebook.com/nicole.drader 

https://www.instagram.com/nikkidrader

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and registered yoga teacher.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate clients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike shares his insight from 25 years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where each week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers, shareholders, and community.
Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence by FW, Inc. and has twice been recognized as the North Texas HR Professional of the Year.

Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and is a volunteer leader with the SHRM Texas State Council and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.

Mike is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He is also a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher (RYT-200).

Mike and his very patient wife of 27 years are empty nesters in Fort Worth.

Learning Objectives:

1. Redesign recruitment and selection processes to emphasize skills-based assessments and clear job requirements rather than traditional interview performance and social interaction
2. Implement coaching programs that facilitate mutual understanding between neurotypical and neurodivergent employees while supporting both managers and new hires
3. Develop universal HR systems and practices that accommodate diverse communication styles and work preferences, benefiting both neurodivergent and neurotypical employees

In episode 181, Coffey talks with Dr. Jamil Northcutt about the business of sports and the competitive advantages former athletes bring to business teams.

They discuss the similarities and differences between sports organizations and traditional businesses; the importance of balancing analytics with human judgment in talent decisions; the challenges of managing high-performing individuals who may not work well with teams; the value of consistent feedback and communication in performance management; the successful transition of college athletes into corporate roles; the unique challenges faced by African American athletes in career transitions; the application of transition theory in managing organizational change; the critical role of understanding employees' personal circumstances in leadership.

Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.

If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.

About our Guest:

Dr. Jamil Northcutt is a sports executive who brings over 20 plus years of experience to the industry. In 2024 he founded Strategic Transitions Advisors, LLC (STA) to help people and organizations navigate change strategically. He currently serves on the Governing Board of Pro Sports Assembly, the Business of Sports School Advisory Board, the Sports Business Journal’s All-In Advisory Board, and the Advisory Board for Alterity Capital.

Prior to founding STA, Northcutt served as Major League Soccer’s Senior Vice President of Player and League Advancement where he was responsible for the implementation of league programs, initiatives, and worked to identify new business opportunities and strategic partnerships that enhanced the league’s player and competition relationships. 

Before joining MLS, Northcutt held numerous roles in professional and collegiate athletics, including roles at the NCAA, National Football League, Cleveland Browns, University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), Kansas City Chiefs, and Southeastern Conference. 

Dr. Northcutt played football at Ole Miss, where he earned the Chucky Mullins Courage Award, helped the Rebels to four bowl games and was selected to the 2003 AFCA and SEC Good Works teams.

Northcutt received his Ph.D. from Ole Miss. He also completed an executive education certification program at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Jamil Northcutt can be reached at 

https://www.strategictransitionsadvisors.com 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamil-northcutt-ph-d-28781b4 

https://x.com/cutt54 

https://www.instagram.com/strategic_transitions_advisors

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and registered yoga teacher.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate clients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike shares his insight from 25 years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where each week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers, shareholders, and community.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence by FW, Inc. and has twice been recognized as the North Texas HR Professional of the Year.

Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and is a volunteer leader with the SHRM Texas State Council and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.

Mike is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He is also a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher (RYT-200).

Mike and his very patient wife of 27 years are empty nesters in Fort Worth.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Implement a balanced approach to talent management that combines both analytical data and human factors when making personnel decisions
2. Develop effective feedback mechanisms that provide regular, constructive communication about performance while demonstrating genuine care for employees' success
3. Apply transition theory principles (relationships, assumptions, roles, and routines) to better manage organizational changes and support employees through various life and career transitions

In episode 180, Coffey and Patrick Richter discuss recent HR news items about remote worker fraud and employee monitoring.

They discuss North Korean operatives using stolen identities to infiltrate U.S. companies through remote work positions; the growing trend of "over-employed" individuals secretly working multiple full-time remote jobs; the rise of technology tools like mouse jigglers to deceive employer monitoring systems; the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's recent position that employee-monitoring-software firms are consumer reporting agencies; the importance of proper employment verification and cybersecurity measures for remote workers; the importance of managing remote employee performance rather than simply monitoring activity; legal implications of employee monitoring on personal devices; and the critical role of consistent policy enforcement in remote work environments.

Links to stuff they talked about are on our website at https://goodmorninghr.com/EP180 and include the following topics:

- US claims North Korea put workers in US companies to extort money for weapons

- Fourteen North Korean Nationals Indicted for Carrying Out Multi-Year Fraudulent Information Technology Worker Scheme and Related Extortions

- FBI Warns of Rise in Work-From-Home Scams

- Overemployment Reddit: Wife’s company threatening termination for using a mouse jiggler. Any tips to avoid detection?

- (Don’t) Buy a “mouse jiggler” on Amazon

- Remote Employee Monitoring Software Is the Wrong Solution for Absenteeism

- CFPB warns of workplace tracking technology in US firms

- Consumer Financial Protection Circular 2024-06

- Employee lawsuit accuses Apple of spying on its workers

Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.

If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.

About our Guest:

Patrick is an experienced mediator, litigator, and employment attorney with expertise ranging from first chair trial lawyer to advisor on mergers and acquisitions to counselor on the full spectrum of day-to-day HR issues. As an employment lawyer, he has significant experience representing employers and employees with wage & hour issues, class and collective actions, and intellectual property and trade secret issues, including non-disclosure agreements and covenants not to compete—both in the drafting and preparation of the underlying agreements as well as litigation and appeals. He also has considerable experience with matters before the National Labor Relations Board and in assisting employers with union avoidance. Apart from employment-related matters, He is a certified mediator and has significant experience with non-patent intellectual property litigation, commercial litigation, and corporate transactions -including mergers and acquisitions and venture capital investments. No matter the issue — from sensitive employee termination issues to high-level harassment investigations, to protection of trade secrets — he partners with his clients to help them achieve their business objectives while minimizing legal risks and obstacles.

Patrick Richter can be reached at:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-richter-986b19

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and registered yoga teacher.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate clients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike shares his insight from 25 years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where each week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers, shareholders, and community.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence by FW, Inc. and has twice been recognized as the North Texas HR Professional of the Year.

Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and is a volunteer leader with the SHRM Texas State Council and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.

Mike is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He is also a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher (RYT-200).

Mike and his very patient wife of 27 years are empty nesters in Fort Worth.

Learning Objectives:

1. Implement comprehensive identity verification and cybersecurity protocols for remote worker hiring and management to prevent fraud and data theft
2. Develop performance management systems that focus on measurable outcomes rather than activity monitoring to effectively evaluate remote workers
3. Establish and consistently enforce clear policies regarding acceptable technology use, monitoring practices, and performance expectations for remote employees

In episode 179, Coffey talks with Kacey Riccomini about managing political and social speech in the workplace in a time of heightened political division and social tension.  (HRCI business credit)

They discuss legal protections for political speech under federal and California state laws; when political speech becomes discriminatory or creates a hostile work environment; the limitations of First Amendment protections in private workplaces; employer rights and responsibilities regarding employee social media use; how to handle disruptive political discussions in the workplace; the challenges of managing speech in remote work environments; the importance of having clear workplace policies around respectful communication; the definition and handling of retaliation claims; the risks and considerations around employer monitoring of employee social media.

Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.

If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit (HRCI business credit). To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.

About our Guest:

A dynamic litigator with a breadth of experience, Kacey creates and executes effective litigation strategies to address a variety of complex disputes. She advises a wide range of clients, from members of Fortune 500 and large privately-held companies to smaller businesses.

Aggressive, focused, and methodical in her approach, Kacey leads complex litigation that is practical and consistent with her clients' business goals and strategic objectives. She represents clients in state, federal and appellate courts as well as before various dispute resolution agencies. She has prevailed in state and federal courts at all stages of litigation, including trial, and has successfully arbitrated and mediated numerous cases before the AAA and other dispute resolution agencies.

Kacey is a talented writer who professionally publishes articles on various legal topics. She also serves on the editorial boards for two publications, Bender's Labor & Employment Bulletin and Bender's California Labor & Employment Bulletin.

Prior to joining Thompson Coburn, Kacey was an Associate at Chapman, Glucksman, Dean, Roeb & Barger, where her practice focused on professional liability for accountants and business managers, construction defect litigation for builders and developers, and insurance defense.

Kacey Riccomini can be reached at 

https://www.thompsoncoburn.com 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kacey-riccomini-2220192b

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and registered yoga teacher.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate clients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike shares his insight from 25 years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where each week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers, shareholders, and community.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence by FW, Inc. and has twice been recognized as the North Texas HR Professional of the Year.

Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and is a volunteer leader with the SHRM Texas State Council and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.

Mike is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He is also a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher (RYT-200).

Mike and his very patient wife of 27 years are empty nesters in Fort Worth.

Learning Objectives:

1. Develop appropriate workplace policies that protect both employee rights and business interests while maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations regarding political and social speech
2. Implement effective procedures for addressing potentially discriminatory or disruptive workplace speech while avoiding retaliation claims
3. Distinguish between protected speech that requires employer action and general complaints that fall outside the scope of workplace regulations

In episode 178, Coffey talks with Jason Barrett about the evolving landscape of data privacy laws and their impact on employers' handling of personal information.

They discuss the cultural shift driving increased data privacy concerns; differences between personally identifiable information (PII) and sensitive personal information; roles of data controllers, processors, and consumers; GDPR's seven foundational principles; state-level privacy laws including Texas and California regulations; biometric data collection and regulation; cross-state jurisdiction issues; data storage and retention practices; and the implications of AI on data privacy.

Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.

If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit (business credit for HRCI). To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.

About our Guest:

Jason has worked over 20 years in corporate legal, compliance and HR roles in diverse industries including maritime, energy and oil and gas.

He has expertise in the areas of global employment, labor and IP law, employee relations, data privacy compliance and legal administration.

JAME Consulting, LLC focuses on providing comprehensive HR, legal, and data privacy consulting advice and training for all stages of the employment lifecycle.

Jason received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Mississippi and J.D. from the University of Houston.

Jason currently serves as a Board or committee member for 2 nonprofits and one private organization.

Jason Barrett can be reached at

http://jameconsulting.com 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-barrett-jd-3062b6a

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and registered yoga teacher.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate clients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike shares his insight from 25 years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where each week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers, shareholders, and community.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence by FW, Inc. and has twice been recognized as the North Texas HR Professional of the Year.

Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and is a volunteer leader with the SHRM Texas State Council and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.

Mike is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He is also a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher (RYT-200).

Mike and his very patient wife of 27 years are empty nesters in Fort Worth.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify different types of protected data and develop appropriate protocols for collecting, storing, and managing employee information.
2. Create transparent data privacy policies that address both state and federal requirements while maintaining compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
3. Implement data minimization practices that balance business needs with emerging privacy regulations and individual rights to data access and protection.