Ogletree Deakins Podcasts

In this installment of our Workplace Strategies Watercooler 2025 podcast series, the speakers from our interactive Accommodations Workshop offer an information-packed look at complex issues under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Jamie Brod Ashton (shareholder, Dallas) kicks things off by highlighting common mistakes employers often make during the interactive process, including failing to recognize requests for an accommodation, neglecting to conduct individualized assessments, and providing accommodations that remove essential job functions. Charles Thompson (shareholder, San Francisco) and Sheri Giger (shareholder, Pittsburgh) clarify the factors that may justify a failure to accommodate. Charles, who co-chairs the firm’s Leaves of Absence/Reasonable Accommodation Practice Group, and Sheri share examples of operational costs and discuss the nuances of indefinite leave. Michael Riccobono (shareholder, Morristown) wraps up the conversation with insights on “hidden” disabilities, the individualized assessments required to determine whether an employee poses a direct threat to themselves or others, and the right to bring service animals into the workplace.

In this episode of our Multistate Monday podcast series, Dee Anna Hays (co-chair of the firm’s Multistate Advice and Counseling Practice Group), Susan Gorey, and Stephanie Generotti continue their discussion on E-Verify, I-9 requirements, and state-specific mandates. In part two of their conversation, they focus on three types of warrant-based scenarios—administrative, judicial, and operational search—and explain the purpose and scope of each type of warrant. They also emphasize the importance of employers being prepared to respond appropriately to each scenario by designating a point of contact and training frontline employees who may be the first to encounter a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent.

In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Lina Fernandez (Boston) and Kate Thompson (New York/Boston) delve into the latest developments in Australia’s non-compete legislation. Kate and Lina specifically discuss the proposed ban on non-compete clauses for employees earning below the high-income threshold of $175,000 AUD, its potential impact on job mobility, and how businesses may need to adjust their strategies to protect sensitive information and retain top talent.

In this episode of our Multistate Monday podcast series, Dee Anna Hays, a shareholder in the firm’s Tampa office and co-chair of the Multistate Advice and Counseling Practice Group, sits down with Susan Gorey (senior counsel, Indianapolis) and Stephanie Generotti (of counsel, Tampa) to discuss the evolving landscape of E-Verify requirements across various states. They provide crucial insights on how employers can prepare for potential I-9 audits and non-warrant-based U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement inspections, ensuring compliance and minimizing disruptions.

In this podcast, Shareholder Michael McKnight (Raleigh) and Associate Lauren Watson (Raleigh) discuss the primary privacy challenges that manufacturers face, including pitfalls and best practices surrounding employee monitoring, biometric data collection, and information storage, especially when employers use tools enabled with artificial intelligence (AI) to surveil employees. In addition, Lauren and Michael discuss how manufacturers can comply with various state and sector-specific privacy laws and provide practical tips for manufacturers responding to data breaches. Michael and Lauren offer valuable insights on how manufacturers can balance the need to comply with the various privacy laws, protect their employees’—and the employers’ own—data and devices, and efficiently run their manufacturing businesses in an increasingly tech-forward but regulated environment.

In this podcast, Sacramento shareholders and co-chairs of the Workplace Violence Prevention Practice Group, Karen Tynan and Robert Rodriguez, discuss the significant changes brought by SB 553, California’s Workplace Violence Prevention Plan Law, and the implications of its draft regulations. They review specific requirements of the draft regulations and how those requirements may lead to increased costs and overlap with existing requirements such as those in the workers’ compensation system. Robert and Karen emphasize the importance that California employers stay informed and prepare for these regulatory changes.

In this podcast, Karen Tynan (shareholder, Sacramento) sits down with Stefan Borovina (of counsel, New York) to discuss the New York Retail Worker Safety Act and provide essential information for New York retail employers. Stefan and Karen, who is a co-chair of the Workplace Violence Prevention Practice Group, discuss how to determine which businesses are subject to the act, the act’s procedural history, key amendments, and compliance requirements. The speakers also take a deep dive into the act’s training and notice provisions, which take effect on June 2, 2025.

In this podcast, Karen Tynan and Robert Rodriguez—who are the co-chairs of Ogletree Deakins’ Workplace Violence Prevention Practice Group—answer the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) on California’s workplace violence law. Robert and Karen, both of whom are shareholders in the firm’s Sacramento office, review essential training requirements, the importance of maintaining accurate violent incident logs, and best practices for involving employees in developing effective prevention plans to ensure the workplace remains safe and compliant with Senate Bill (SB) No. 553, which went into effect on July 1, 2024.

In the second part of this two-part series, Ben Perry (shareholder, Nashville) and Lauren Watson (associate, Raleigh) discuss the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered note-taking and recording tools in the workplace. Ben (who is co-chair of the firm’s Cybersecurity and Privacy Practice Group) and Lauren discuss the various risks and considerations companies may need to address when using AI tools, particularly focusing on data security, employee training, and compliance with evolving legal regulations. They emphasize the importance of conducting due diligence, implementing strong security measures, and providing proper employee training to mitigate potential risks associated with these AI tools.

In this episode of our Safety Perspectives From the Dallas Region series, John Surma (Houston) and Frank Davis (Dallas) delve into the intricacies of OSHA’s Rapid Response Investigation (RRI) letter and the emerging trend of OSHA’s use of email questionnaires that the agency doesn’t treat like an RRI letters. Frank and John discuss the implications of these communications, how employers can respond, and the potential legal ramifications of responding to these communications, providing valuable insights for navigating OSHA’s investigative processes.