Category Archives: Uncategorized

Labor Relations and Organizing: What to Watch for in 2023



In this podcast, Tom Davis, co-chair of Ogletree Deakins’ Traditional Labor Relations Practice Group, reviews recent developments in labor relations and organizing and offers helpful insights on hot topics for 2023. Tom discusses some of the reasons for the increased level and visibility of organizing and whether this trend will continue. The episode also provides an update on National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) activity and how the present political climate may influence developments. The presentation concludes with a preview of traditional labor topics to come in 2023, including handbook policies, joint-employer issues, expansion of the concept of protected concerted activity, and artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace.


Dirty Steel-Toe Boots, Episode 13: Kicking Off 2023 With an OSHA and Workplace Safety Forecast



In this podcast, Phillip Russell, a member of Ogletree’s Workplace Safety and Health Practice Group, continues the popular Dirty Steel-Toe Boots series with a look ahead at 2023 and what to expect from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Phillip reviews the reasons OSHA may be more active in 2023 and offers tips on how employers can prepare. The discussion includes insights into regulatory acceleration, political urgency, and economic forces that may shape OSHA policy and practice.


The H-1B Cap Process: How Employers Can Prepare Now



In this podcast, Andrew Drozdowski and Kara Goray, members of Ogletree Deakins’ Immigration Practice Group, provide an overview of the H-1B cap or quota process. The H-1B visa program permits U.S. companies to employ professional foreign national workers in specialty occupations who have not previously held H-1B work visas. The speakers explain how the online registration process works and what employers can do now to prepare. Kara and Andrew also highlight considerations to keep in mind when selecting candidates, including education level, work location, and prevailing wage issues.


Foreign National Workers and RIFs: Do Layoffs Affect the Status of Foreign Talent?



In this podcast, Katie Desmond and Katherine MacIlwaine, members of Ogletree Deakins’ Immigration Practice Group, review the challenges that employers and employees face when a reduction in force (RIF) or layoff affects the employment of foreign nationals. The speakers review the varying considerations to keep in mind for workers with non-immigrant work visas, those who are in the green card process, and students with F-1 status. Katherine and Katie also provide information regarding grace periods, review the options that may be available for those in the green card process, and discuss other key topics regarding workforce reductions.


OFCCP Posting Requirements: Compliance Reminders for Federal Contractors



In this podcast, Lauren Hicks and Chris Near give an overview of the regulatory poster requirements imposed by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) on federal contractors. The speakers review noteworthy posters, how OFCCP will ensure they are posted during audits, digital accessibility, and best practices for regulatory compliance. Specifically, the speakers address the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) new “Know Your Rights” poster that replaced the prior “EEO is the Law” poster and supplement. The presentation covers additional compliance obligations including the pay transparency nondiscrimination poster, as well as wage and hour posting requirements imposed under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) that are applicable to federal contractors, the “Notification of Employee Rights Under Federal Labor Laws” poster, and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) poster. The speakers also provide best practices to successfully navigating poster compliance in an OFCCP compliance review.


Child Status Protection Act: Insights and Helpful Hypos



In this podcast, Dan Maranci and Christina Kelley discuss the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) and how its provisions may benefit dependents who turn 21 before their green card application has been approved. The speakers review guidance on determining an applicant’s age at the time of visa availability and present several hypotheticals to demonstrate how to calculate adjusted CSPA ages. Join this podcast for important insights into this key piece of legislation and for step-by-step examples of how it applies in real world scenarios.


French Podcast Series— The Employment of Ukrainian Workers in France



In this French-language podcast, Pascale Ernst and Marie Paulin from Ogletree Deakins’ Paris office answer questions regarding how to recruit Ukrainian refugees in France. Marie and Pascale discuss under which legal framework companies may employ Ukrainian refugees and what type of employment contract French law requires employer to use in these circumstances.


The Supreme Court’s 2022 Affirmative Action Cases and its Impact on Employers



In this podcast, we discuss the cases before the Supreme Court of the United States, involving affirmative action or race-conscious admissions in higher education. Lauren Hicks of Ogletree Deakins’ Affirmative Action and OFCCP Compliance Practice Group and Jim Plunkett, Washington D.C. shareholder and author of our weekly Beltway Buzz newsletter, summarize the recent oral arguments and the implications the decisions might have on employers. Lauren and Jim discuss the federal contractor affirmative action obligations under Executive Order 11246 and how those obligations contrast with affirmative action in the educational context. The podcast concludes with discussion of how the decisions in the college admissions cases might impact employment practices in diversity and inclusion or federal contractor OFCCP compliance.


Insights for Hiring and Employing Veterans: An Interview With Thought Leader, Sean Kelley



In this episode, Bud Bobber, who is a shareholder in Ogletree Deakins’ Milwaukee office and chair of the firm’s Manufacturing Industry Group, speaks to Sean Kelley, who is a nationally recognized thought leader in corporate military affairs, recruiting, and transition programs. Bud and Sean discuss the rationale for implementing an intentional strategy for recruiting, hiring, and employing veterans. The speakers also explain how veterans, as a diverse group, can be an important part of any company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) plan and how biases, conscious or otherwise, have often created impediments to having veterans in the workforce. This podcast also offers suggestions—in conjunction with our recent article, “Employing Veterans: Insights for Hiring Veterans and Supporting Veterans in the Workforce”— for employers to tap into this rich stream of new talent continually flowing into the workforce as service persons transition to civilian life.


Dirty Steel-Toe Boots, Episode 12: Women in Construction and Safety



In this episode of Dirty Steel-Toe Boots, host Phillip Russell interviews Mandy Kustra, the safety director of Ajax Paving. Mandy is a leader in advocating for women in the construction industry and in safety careers. She explains how she got into construction and safety and how mentoring, advocacy, and building a network of support has helped other women do the same. Mandy also discusses personal protective equipment (PPE) fit in the construction industry, OSHA’s forthcoming standard clarification, and the importance of internal traffic control plans (ITCPs) in the transportation construction industry.