Category Archives: Legal

Cross Border Catch-Up: Digital Nomad Visa Trend in East Asia



In this episode of our new Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Patty Shapiro (San Diego) and Eric Lee (New York) discuss the recent trend in East Asia to use digital nomad visas, which allow individuals to work remotely in a country for foreign employers. These nomad visa programs were specifically designed to permit eligible foreign nationals to live in a country while working remotely for a foreign employer—while also avoiding the typical hurdles and headaches involved with work authorization and taxes. Eric and Patty cover the various digital nomad visa programs in East Asia, the eligibility requirements of these programs (such as income thresholds, health insurance coverage, and criminal history certificates), the duration of visa application processes, and the approaches various Asian countries have towards the use of these visas.


Cross-Border Catch-Up: Legislative Updates From Singapore



In this installment of Ogletree Deakins’ Cross-Border Catch-Up series, Patty Shapiro (San Diego) and Eric Lee (New York) discuss recent legislative updates from Singapore, which may have implications on employer handbooks or policies. Patty and Eric cover three major updates: government paid paternity leave benefits, unpaid and infant care leave for working parents, and the new workplace fairness legislation in Singapore. The speakers also comment on the protected characteristics under Singapore’s new discrimination law, which include age, nationality, sex, marital status. pregnancy status, caregiving responsibilities, race, religion, language, and disability and mental health conditions—making Singapore one of the first countries to provide protection on the status of mental health.


Safety Perspectives From Region 6: OSHA Inspections at Your Workplace, Part 1



In this episode of the Safety Perspectives From Region 6 podcast, 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.


Multistate Monday: Workplace Romance, Love Contracts, and Sexual Harassment Prevention



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.


Avoiding Discrimination Under Export Control Laws: The DOJ’s Latest Guidance



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.


Cross-Border Catch-Up: Addressing Requests to Work Remotely Abroad



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.


Cross-Border Catch-Up: Where Digital Nomad Visas Miss the Mark



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.


TITLE Immigration in the Life Sciences: Visa Categories in Groundbreaking Industries



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.


Safety Consultants and Workplace Safety Attorneys: Allies for Employers



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.


Multistate Monday: The Top 6 Groundhog Day Compliance Issues From Onboarding to Terminations and Everything in Between



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.