Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break

Hosted by seasoned attorney Pam Howland, alongside attorneys Jennifer Walrath and Doug Plass, Ground Rules delivers employment law insights in bite-sized weekly episodes. With decades of courtroom experience, this dynamic trio has seen the costly consequences of legal missteps for employers—and they're here to help you avoid them. Perfect for business owners, HR professionals, and supervisors, this podcast is your go-to guide for staying ahead of the curve on employment law, fostering compliant workplaces, and keeping your business out of the courthouse. Grab your coffee, tune in, and gain practical tips to protect and empower your team.

Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break is a business podcast hosted by Pam Howland, with 84 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Pam Howland hosts Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break, a business show with 84 episodes published.

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  Episode #34

  Summer 2026 Employment Law Trends: What We’re Seeing

  Aug 26, 202628 minS2

  As summer winds down, Pam Howland, Jennifer Walrath, and Doug Plass compare notes on the employment law trends that have been showing up most often in their work. In this episode, they discuss the increase in employment claims and litigation, wage and hour issues, ADA and leave-related accommodation challenges, shifting priorities at the EEOC, DOL, and NLRB, the growing role of AI in workplace decisions, and why texts, DMs, and other informal communications can become important evidence when disputes arise. They also look ahead to the issues employers should continue watching as 2026 unfolds. *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 Sign up for our email blast Learn more about our Law for Leaders Training Program Learn more about your Hosts and Idaho Employment Lawyers

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  Episode #33

  Apple v. OpenAI: What Employers Can Learn About Protecting Trade Secrets

  Aug 19, 202639 minS2

  Apple’s recent lawsuit against OpenAI puts a spotlight on an issue employers of every size face: what happens when an employee leaves—and confidential information goes with them? Pam Howland, Jennifer Walrath, and Laegan Meyers break down the allegations and discuss practical steps employers can take to protect confidential information and trade secrets, from stronger policies and agreements to onboarding, offboarding, and hiring employees from competitors. They also explore what employers should do when they suspect information has been taken—and why acting quickly matters. *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 Sign up for our email blast Learn more about our Law for Leaders Training Program Learn more about your Hosts and Idaho Employment Lawyers

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  Episode #32

  Collaborating Across Generations: Building a Stronger Workplace

  Aug 12, 202633 minS2

  For the first time, employers may have as many as six generations represented in the workforce—each bringing different experiences, communication preferences, expectations, and perspectives to work. But those differences don’t have to create division. In this episode of Ground Rules , Pam Howland, Jennifer Walrath, and Doug Plass are joined by Ann Smith of Guide and Grow Consulting to discuss how employers can build stronger, more collaborative multigenerational workplaces. They explore communication preferences, setting clear expectations, avoiding generational stereotypes and bias, training employees on new technology, mentorship and reverse mentorship, and creating opportunities for employees across generations to learn from one another. They also discuss the legal risks that can arise when communication breaks down—including age discrimination claims, workplace incivility, and the growing role of texts, Teams messages, and other electronic communications in employment 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! Don't miss out! Connect with us on LinkedIn Sign up for our email blast Learn more about our Law for Leaders Training Program Learn more about your Hosts and Idaho Employment Lawyers

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  Episode #31

  Meet Laegan Meyers + Lessons from Employment Litigation

  Aug 5, 202622 minS2

  This week, Pam Howland and Jennifer Walrath welcome Idaho Employment Lawyers' newest attorney, Laegan Meyers, to Ground Rules . Drawing on her experience defending employers in litigation, Laegan shares what she sees once a workplace dispute reaches the courtroom—and, more importantly, what employers can do now to reduce the chances of ever getting there. From documentation and employee handbooks to workplace communications and discovery, the conversation explores how everyday decisions can become critical evidence in litigation. You'll also hear why contemporaneous documentation matters, what employers should know about Teams, Slack, emails, and text messages, and why proactive compliance is almost always less expensive than defending a lawsuit. If you're looking for practical ways to better protect your organization—and get to know IEL's newest attorney along the way—this episode is a great place to start. *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 Sign up for our email blast Learn more about our Law for Leaders Training Program Learn more about your Hosts and Idaho Employment Lawyers

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  Episode #30

  The Biggest Mistakes Supervisors Make

  Jul 29, 202633 minS2

  Every supervisor makes mistakes—but some mistakes are far more costly than others. In this episode of Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break , Pam Howland, Jennifer Walrath, Doug Plass, and special guest Megan Renaldo of Renaldo & Co. compare notes on the leadership and compliance issues they see most often when working with employers. Together, they discuss: Why waiting too long to address performance problems creates bigger issues The importance of documentation that actually supports employment decisions Why supervisors need to know their organization's policies—not just HR Common ADA, accommodation, and compliance mistakes that lead to legal claims How poor communication and unclear expectations impact both team performance and legal risk Why better hiring starts with better job descriptions Whether you're a supervisor, HR professional, or business leader, this episode offers practical strategies to build stronger leaders, improve team performance, and reduce employment law risk—all before problems end up in the courtroom. *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 Sign up for our email blast Learn more about our Law for Leaders Training Program Learn more about your Hosts and Idaho Employment Lawyers

  ListenShow Notes

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