Ogletree Deakins Podcasts

In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Carlos Colón-Machargo and Kate Thompson explore the legal complexities of reductions in force (RIFs) across the Caribbean. In this episode, the speakers unpack the differences between individual and collective redundancies, highlight key procedural requirements and jurisdictional quirks, and offer practical tips to help employers navigate RIFs without triggering litigation.

In this episode of our Safety Perspectives From the Dallas Region podcast series, shareholders John Surma (Houston) and Frank Davis (Dallas) discuss the recent Fifth Circuit decision that found the dual for-cause removal protections for administrative law judges (ALJs) at the National Labor Relations Board unconstitutional and its implications for the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC). The speakers break down how this ruling could halt OSHA enforcement proceedings in the Fifth Circuit, potentially render the current OSHRC structure unconstitutional, and force Congress to revisit the statutory framework for workplace safety adjudication.

In this episode of Ogletree Deakins’ Safety Basics podcast series, shareholders John Surma (Houston) and Karen Tynan (Sacramento) discuss the intricacies of state plans in comparison to federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. John and Karen, who is co-chair of Ogletree’s Workplace Safety and Health Practice Group, explore the processes for approval and monitoring, highlight differences in recording and reporting requirements, and examine the nuances of inspections, citations, appeals, and settlements in states that have their own plans.

In this second episode of Ogletree Deakins’ new podcast series Litigation Lens, Michael Nail (Greenville) is joined by Fiona Ong (Baltimore) and Sarah Zucco (New York) to discuss a recent Second Circuit decision that clarifies employers’ obligations to provide reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)—even when an employee can technically perform essential job functions without them. The speakers unpack the facts of a case involving a New York teacher’s request for accommodations due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), explain the court’s rejection of a “necessity-only” standard, and offer practical tips for navigating the fact-intensive, multi-jurisdictional landscape of disability accommodation law.

In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Diana Nehro (shareholder, New York/Boston), who is the chair of the Cross-Border Practice Group, and Kate Thompson (associate, New York/Boston) discuss the nuances of global hiring, focusing on the differences between an employer of record (EOR) and an agent of record (AOR). The speakers evaluate the pros and cons of each model, highlight compliance risks, and provide practical tips for employers to effectively and compliantly build their international teams.

In this episode of Ogletree Deakins’ Safety Basics podcast series, John Surma (shareholder, Houston) sits down with Ryan Swink (associate, Houston) to discuss judicial review in the context of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) citations. John and Ryan review the steps employers should consider when contesting OSHA citations, the roles of Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) commissioners and administrative law judges, and the legal standards that apply during appeals. The speakers also address constitutional challenges and other legal issues employers may encounter when disputing OSHA citations.

In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Skye Hao (Atlanta) and Kate Thompson (New York/Boston) discuss the importance of cultural sensitivity in global employment policies and its contribution to organizational success. Kate and Skye highlight that creating inclusive and respectful work environments enhances communication and engagement among employees, boosts morale, and fosters cohesive teams. They also emphasize that some policies may need to be tailored to align with local practices while ensuring legal compliance, with leadership playing a pivotal role in cultivating a culturally sensitive workplace.

In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Skye Hao (Atlanta) and Lina Fernandez (Boston) explore the significant changes in Hong Kong’s employment regulations, specifically the transition from the 418 rule to the new 468 rule. The speakers discuss how this change, which will take effect in January 2026, aims to improve protections for part-time and casual workers by redefining the qualifications for continuous contracts. They also examine the implications of these changes for both employees and employers in Hong Kong’s dynamic labor market.

In this installment of our Payroll Brass Tax podcast series, Mike Mahoney, a shareholder in the firm’s Morristown and New York offices and chair of the Employment Tax Group, speaks with Elizabeth Lutes, Executive Vice President of Transition Services, Inc., to discuss supplemental unemployment benefits (SUBs), or SUB plans. They explore how SUB plans can provide a cost-effective alternative to traditional severance packages and cover the potential tax savings, design flexibility, and implementation strategies that make SUB plans a valuable resource for employers facing workforce reductions.

In this inaugural episode of our EEOC Exclusive podcast series, Adam Dougherty (shareholder, Dallas) sits down with Jim Paul (shareholder, St. Louis and Tampa), D’Ontae Sylvertooth (shareholder, Washington) and Sean Oliveira (associate, St. Louis) to discuss the intricacies and processes of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The conversation focuses on the impact of the Supreme Court’s Loper Bright decision on EEOC regulations following the dismantling of Chevron deference, particularly in relation to the Prichard v. Long Island University case.