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In this episode of the Safety Perspectives From Region 6 podcast series, shareholders John Surma (Houston) and Frank Davis (Dallas) discuss workplace investigations and the importance of having a plan for when an OSHA compliance officer arrives at your door to conduct an inspection. Frank and John address the significance of building the right internal team for these workplace investigations, tips for listening and responding to the compliance officer’s questions appropriately, and how cooperating and extending professional courtesy can make for a smoother inspection process.

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In this episode of our Multistate Monday podcast series, Lucas Asper (co-chair of the firm’s Multistate Advice and Counseling Practice Group), Stacy Bunck, and John Stretton review issues related to dating in the workplace and best practices for implementing harassment and non-fraternization policies. Lucas (shareholder, Greenville), Stacy (shareholder, Kansas City), and John (shareholder, Stamford) discuss real-life examples from their litigation experiences and how these situations have informed their recommendations regarding go-to policy provisions (including offering employees multiple harassment reporting channels) and  best practices on training programs . The speakers also discuss “love contracts,” which require employees to disclose relationships with co-workers and to acknowledge employer policies.

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In this podcast, Jamey Petri and Jeffrey Thomas discuss recently-issued guidance provided in a fact sheet from the Department of Justice (DOJ) on avoiding discriminatory employment practices when complying with U.S. export control laws. Jeff and Jamey unpack the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), focusing on their anti-discrimination provisions as they relate to issues affecting employers, including hiring and retention practices, Form I-9 documentation and processes, and employee training.

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In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Patty Shapiro and Lina Fernandez discuss key considerations for both U.S. and global employers that receive requests from employees to work remotely abroad. From potential conflicts in immigration requirements to digital nomad visas that may be available in non-U.S. countries, Patty and Lina, both of whom are attorneys in the firm’s Cross-Border Practice Group, review the risks to which employers are exposed in the context of remote work abroad. The speakers also address tax compliance requirements, the varying benefits and protections to which employees may be entitled abroad (such as variations in at-will employment, workers’ compensation, Social Security benefits, and medical insurance benefits), and compliance with local employment laws.

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In this installment of Ogletree Deakins’ Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Patty Shapiro and Lina Fernandez discuss the shortfalls of increasingly popular “digital nomad visas,” which allow foreigners to work in-country for a foreign employer. Patty and Lina discuss alternative solutions companies may entertain to enable their employees to work globally and their associated risks.

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In this podcast, Amanda Goodman and Geeta Shah discuss the overlapping complexities and nuances of the U.S. immigration system and the dynamic world of the life sciences industry. The speakers cover visa categories and classifications uniquely suited to professionals in the life sciences industry and available H-1B cap exemption options for employers, as well as other considerations and challenges for employers operating in these crossover industries.

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In this podcast, shareholders Karen Tynan (Sacramento) and Kevin Bland (Orange County) discuss how workplace safety and health professionals and attorneys can work together to best serve their employer-clients. Kevin and Karen, who is the West Coast chair of Ogletree’s Workplace Safety and Health Practice Group, offer best practices for employers in situations that have evolved from being preventative to potential litigation. The speakers provide real-world examples of attorneys and safety consultants working together, as well as identify key problem areas. They also review the circumstances under which the attorney work-product doctrine and privileged communications come into play.

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In this episode of our Multistate Monday podcast series, Lucas Asper (co-chair of the firm’s Multistate Advice and Counseling Practice Group), Susan Gorey, and Alejandro Perez review the top compliance challenges that come up frequently for multistate employers. The discussion focuses on six areas that can be problematic during the lifecycle of employment: onboarding, leaves of absence, remote work, wage and hour, protective covenants, and separation. Our speakers discuss notices employers are required to provide to employees, pay transparency developments, classification challenges, minimum wage rates across states and localities, best practices on leave administration, and the latest on noncompete agreements.

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In this episode of the Safety Perspectives From Region 6 podcast series, Frank Davis (shareholder, Dallas) and John Surma (shareholder, Houston) discuss OSHA’s comprehensive proposed rule on fire brigades that would update a 40-year-old standard to cover everything from training and personal protective equipment (PPE) to physical fitness and medical requirements to vehicle operation and vehicle standards. Frank and John cover details of the 250-page rule—which stands to significantly transform the fire brigade standard into an emergency response standard focusing not only on firefighting but also on emergency medical services (EMS), tactical rescue, and equivalent services provided by employers in workplaces. Finally, they discuss how this rule would change the face of emergency response across the country.

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In this podcast, Charles Thompson (co-chair of the firm’s Leaves of Absence/Reasonable Accommodation Practice Group), sits down with Stacy Bunck (shareholder, Kansas City), and John Stretton (office managing shareholder, Stamford) to discuss three new federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) decisions. The speakers cover the FMLA’s notice requirements and deadlines, the definition of a serious health condition, and the nuances involved with returning an employee to an equivalent position following a leave of absence.