Hostile Work Environment

Marc and Dennis welcome Dan Schwartz, employment law blogger pioneer, for a discussion of good things to avoid on Valentine's Day. Dan sticks around for the first every Hostile Work Environment debate, where he and Dennis fight over whether to pronounce each letter in an acronym or to make it into a new word, only to find out that they are both horribly inconsistent. Marc concludes the episode with a heartwarming Axemas tale.

Episode 13, in which Marc and Dennis congratulate the winner of the Super Bowl! They then delve into a company barbecue to remember. We learn that not every FMLA-taker who posts vacation photos while on leave is a big faker, and that burger joints are great places for payroll shenanigans.

In this episode, Marc and Dennis explore how courts have interpreted Title VII to apply to sexual orientation discrimination claims. Marc tells a story about how not to communicate that a command of the English language is a bona fide occupational requirement. And who would have guessed that a burger joint could be a front for a drug operation?

In Episode 11 of the Hostile Work Environment, Marc, Dennis and special guest star Ann Fromholz turn the lens on the legal profession, and regale each other with stories about law firm summer associates who engage in terrible behavior. One firm event takes several budding young lawyers to an S&M club, another law firm learns the value of checking references, and a law student shows off her swimming ability in the Hudson River. Also, there is swag.

Our hosts are joined by guest Ann Fromholz to discuss a unique race and gender discrimination claim against Google - unique in that it is being pursued by two right-wing white dudes claiming they are oppressed. When they get over their collective revulsion, Marc tells Dennis the story of the most epic holiday part of all time, which causes Dennis to Google "Ice Luge." Finally, Dennis makes the most important Hostile Work Environment announcement EVER.

What do you do when a coworker smells like a monkey's butt? We learn the right way to address workplace BO, and a few wrong ways. We also talk about why people in Oregon and New Jersey cannot be trusted to do something that millions of people in the other 48 states (and across the world) do daily without incident. Marc tells a story that uses the F-word. A lot. (That's your trigger warning right there.)

In Episode 8, Marc and Dennis discuss how you can receive a claim for unpaid overtime from an employee you did not know existed. Our hosts then talk about how the Pacific Northwest skies are home to some unusual phenomena. Also why one HR executive may need remedial training, if not psychological counseling.

Happy Holidays from Marc and Dennis! In Episode 7, our hosts show that Santa's Workshop is definitely a hostile work environment, with two stories of truly Bad Santas, and one tragic tale of a smoking hot (literally) Santa. Also learn how an employee can get fired for kidnapping a customer and still walk away with a $50,000 settlement.

Episode 6, in which HR advisor and employment lawyer Kate Bischoff of tHRive Law and Consulting joins us to discuss how manage risk at your holiday party without making it…not fun. If you don’t already, you need to go right now and follow her on Twitter and also read her blog. Many thanks to Kate for…

Episode 6, in which Marc and Dennis explore the dark and seedy world of company holiday parties. Also, why you might not want to knock on the door of a car in your parking lot that is rocking back and forth with the windows all steamed up.