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In the third part of this five-part podcast series, Karen Tynan (shareholder, Sacramento) and Robert Rodriguez (shareholder, Sacramento), who are co-chairs of Ogletree’s Workplace Violence Prevention Practice Group, examine the exemptions to California’s workplace violence prevention law, SB 553. Karen, who is also chair of the Workplace Safety and Health Practice Group, and Robert cover key exemptions for healthcare facilities, law enforcement agencies, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, teleworking employees, and the often-misunderstood “small business” exemption—which requires fewer than 10 employees, no public access, and IIPP compliance. The speakers also explain that employers bear the burden of proving any exemption as an affirmative defense.

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In part one of this two-part episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Samantha Duncan (Washington) and Lina Fernandez (Boston) discuss the importance of conducting global HR self-audits and best practices for developing a unified audit framework that can be scaled across multiple jurisdictions. The speakers explore key timing considerations for audits and outline the essential topics these audits should cover—from pre-employment screenings and hiring practices to day-to-day operations, compensation, and termination procedures.

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In this podcast, shareholders Meagan Dziura (Raleigh) and Kara Lancaster (Raleigh) discuss the results of this year’s H-1B lottery. Kara and Meagan highlight a major change: the introduction of a wage-weighted selection system, which gives higher-paid workers better odds of being selected. They also provide tips for employers on what actions to take now, from filing petitions for selected employees to developing contingency plans—such as considering alternative visa options—for those who weren’t chosen.

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In this podcast, shareholders Kevin Bland (Orange County) and Karen Tynan (Sacramento), who is chair of the firm’s Workplace Safety and Health Practice Group, discuss the strict 15-working-day deadline for filing Cal/OSHA appeals. Karen and Kevin explain why California’s administrative process offers little room for excuses—unlike civil litigation, there is no excusable neglect doctrine. The speakers share practical tips for avoiding late appeals, highlight common pitfalls such as citations being sent to the wrong address or filed incorrectly, and review a 2025 Appeals Board decision that provides a narrow exception where attorney miscommunication caused an untimely filing.

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In the first part of this two-part podcast series, Karen Tynan (shareholder, Sacramento) and Robert Rodriguez (shareholder, Sacramento), who are co-chairs of Ogletree’s Workplace Violence Prevention Practice Group, review the first year of Cal/OSHA enforcement of California’s SB 553 workplace violence prevention law. Karen, who is also chair of the Workplace Safety and Health Practice Group, and Robert discuss what employers can expect in 2026, cover key inspection trends—including heightened scrutiny of hazard assessments and training documentation—along with best practices for compliance and common employer questions. The speakers also preview anticipated regulatory changes and offer practical recommendations for employers looking to strengthen their workplace violence prevention programs.

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In this installment of our Payroll Brass Tax podcast series, Mike Mahoney (Morristown/New York) and Stephen Kenney (Dallas) explore the payroll and employment tax implications of on-demand pay, also known as earned wage access (EWA), and how real-time payment systems like the Federal Reserve’s FedNow service are accelerating its adoption. Stephen and Mike, who is the chair of the firm’s Employment Tax Group, cover the IRS’s constructive receipt doctrine, FICA timing, Fair Labor Standards Act considerations, emerging state licensing regimes in Nevada and Missouri, and Treasury’s proposed legislative fixes in the 2025 Green Book.

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In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Goli Rahimi (Chicago) and Kate Thompson (New York/Boston) explore the legal and practical considerations for employers hiring cross-border commuters—workers who live in one EU country while working in another. Goli and Kate break down key issues, including applicable employment laws, equal treatment requirements, payroll rules, tax implications under bilateral agreements, and common challenges around social security and benefits portability.

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In this inaugural episode of our Labor Law Solutions podcast, shareholders Tom Davis (Nashville) and Tom Stanek (Phoenix), who co-chair the firm’s Traditional Labor Relations Practice Group sit down with co-chair and former NLRB member Brian Hayes (Washington) to discuss recent developments in labor law. The speakers discuss the new NLRB board members and general counsel, recent decisions and related rulemaking petitions, joint-employer standards, and constitutional challenges to the NLRA’s removal restrictions. Whether you’re navigating union organizing campaigns, unfair labor practice charges, or staying ahead of shifting NLRB precedent, this podcast offers practical guidance for management-side labor professionals.

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In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Kristyn Lambert (New Orleans) and Samantha Duncan (Washington) explore how multinational employers can effectively use mutual separation agreements (MSAs) to navigate employment terminations in jurisdictions that do not recognize at-will employment. The speakers cover a four-step framework for evaluating whether an MSA is appropriate, including assessing local termination laws, understanding enforceability requirements, and tailoring negotiation strategies to regional norms. The speakers also discuss practical examples from jurisdictions such as China, Korea, Taiwan, and Finland to illustrate how local customs and legal standards shape both the structure and pricing of these agreements.

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In this podcast, Tae Phillips (Birmingham) sits down with Jennifer Pacicco (Philadelphia), Andrew Halverson (Lafayette/New Orleans), and Dennis Gardner (Houston) to examine President Trump’s December 2025 executive order directing the potential rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. The speakers cover what this change would—and would not—mean for employers, explaining that while state-specific marijuana legalization laws and employment protections would remain unchanged, DOT-regulated employers may see shifts in testing protocols and compliance requirements if rescheduling occurs. The speakers also address the current regulatory landscape, including the DOT’s absolute prohibition on marijuana use for safety-sensitive employees and the uncertainties surrounding how federal agencies might adapt their rules in response to rescheduling.