In this episode, Pam, Doug, and Jennifer discuss the complexities of workplace romance, particularly in light of the recent kiss cam scandal. They explore employer perspectives on regulating personal relationships, the risks associated with supervisor-subordinate dynamics, and the impact of workplace romance on company culture. The conversation also delves into the importance of having effective workplace policies, handling domestic issues among employees, and the role of investigations in addressing potential conflicts. Additionally, they discuss the concept of love contracts as a preventative measure against harassment claims and emphasize the need for ongoing training and resources for employers.

*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!

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On this episode of Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break, Pam,  Jennifer, and Doug break down the ins and outs of severance agreements. Whether you’re navigating a high-risk termination, wondering how much to offer, or trying to avoid future legal claims, this conversation covers what every employer should consider before handing over a check.

They discuss:

• When (and why) severance agreements make sense
• The most important provisions to include
• What makes an agreement enforceable
• Whether offering severance sets a precedent
• Real-world tips to avoid costly surprises

*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!

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In this episode of Ground Rules, Pam, Jennifer, and Doug dive into the surprisingly complex topic of work phones vs. personal phones—and what it means for employers.

From wage and hour risks to trade secrets walking out the door, this conversation covers the legal and practical issues that arise when employees use their own devices for work. They unpack:

• Wage and hour pitfalls for off-the-clock work
• Data security and confidentiality concerns
• Legal implications of lost or stolen devices
• Documentation gaps in litigation
• Best practices for onboarding, offboarding, and policy development

If you’ve ever asked whether to issue company phones—or let employees use their own—this episode is your roadmap to making that decision thoughtfully and defensibly.

*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!

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Under the ADA, disability discrimination isn’t limited to individuals with diagnosed conditions. Employers can get into legal trouble simply for assuming someone has a disability. In this episode of Ground Rules, Pam, Doug, and Jennifer break down the often-overlooked “regarded as” prong of the ADA. They walk through real-world litigation examples—from assumptions about mental health and addiction to physical appearance and hospitalization—and explain how seemingly well-intentioned actions can trigger serious liability.

What’s the biggest takeaway? Don’t make assumptions—ask questions. Tune in to learn:

• What “regarded as” discrimination really means
• Why assumptions about health conditions can backfire
• What supervisors and HR teams should be trained to recognize

*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!

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Unlimited paid time off sounds like a dream benefit—but is it really as simple as it seems? In this episode of Ground Rules, the hosts break down the pros and cons of unlimited PTO policies. From workplace culture and employee trust to performance management and legal landmines, they explore the practical and legal considerations every employer should weigh before jumping in. 

*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!

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When an employee is arrested, employers are often left with more questions than answers: Can we ask about it? Do we need to act now—or at all? What if coworkers feel unsafe? And what if the arrest doesn’t turn into a conviction?

In this episode of Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break, the hosts  unpack what employers should consider when facing these tricky situations. They explore the legal distinctions between arrests and convictions, what actions are considered defensible, and how policies like paid leave, background checks, and workplace safety can provide structure in the chaos. They also discuss state laws, EEOC guidance, and why a proactive handbook can be your best defense.

*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!

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In this episode of Ground Rules, the hosts tackle one of the most common (and frustrating) questions they hear from clients: “Can’t you just make this lawsuit go away?”

From the average three-year lifespan of employment lawsuits to sky-high defense costs and unpredictable trial outcomes, the team breaks down why litigation is rarely quick—or simple. They share real-world experiences with court delays, stubborn opposing parties, and systemic obstacles that make early dismissal nearly impossible. You’ll also learn why the desire to win can drag out cases, and how training and prevention are still your best tools for staying out of the courtroom.

Whether you’re an HR professional, business owner, or just curious about what really happens after a lawsuit is filed, this episode offers a practical and eye-opening look behind the scenes of 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!

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In this thought-provoking episode of Ground Rules, the team sits down with Dr. Roger Hall, a business psychologist and leadership consultant, to explore the surprising psychology behind workplace decision-making. Drawing from behavioral economics, real-life research, and courtroom experience, Dr. Hall and the hosts unpack why leaders often delay proactive compliance steps, how emotion can override logic, and what organizations can do to influence better decisions before a lawsuit hits. They also delve into why humans are wired to avoid regret, how emotions shape behavior more than we realize, and how different choices can still lead to the same outcomes. 

*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!

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What do business coaching and employment law have in common? More than you'd think. In this episode, the hosts are joined by Mike Taylor, business coach and Chief Vision Officer of TaylorMade Visioneering. Together, they dig into how performance management, documentation, and coaching intersect with legal risk—and how organizations can protect themselves by doing it better.

From panic hires and vague org charts to sugarcoated performance reviews and last-minute terminations, this episode explores the missteps that lead to lawsuits and the conversations that can stop them before they start. You’ll also learn the value of quarterly coaching conversations, why clarity is everything, and how mentorship can be a game-changer for team culture and compliance alike.

*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!

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In this episode of Ground Rules, the hosts are joined by seasoned HR consultant Rhiannon Albert to unpack an often-overlooked compliance risk: workplace civility and respect. The conversation dives into how everyday behaviors—rudeness, exclusion, unchecked conflict—can quietly escalate into discrimination claims or toxic cultures that drive away top talent. With real-world examples and insights from both legal and HR perspectives, this episode explores why fostering respect in the workplace isn't just a matter of culture—it's a matter of liability. 

*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
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