Littler Labor & Employment Podcast

In this podcast, Kimberly Doud and Nancy Johnson of Littler’s Orlando office discuss how the COVID crisis is affecting Florida employers now. After a brief hiatus and the workplace starting to “normalize,” the rise of the Delta variant particularly in Florida is creating new questions for employers continuing to navigate the path to a safe work environment. Kimberly and Nancy remind listeners of vaccination strategies, workplace safety tips and how to deal with the latest CDC guidance recommending, in places like Florida, masking indoors once again regardless of vaccination status.

In this episode, Littler shareholders Bruce Sarchet and Bob Long discuss a common feature of many American workplaces: the “Open Door” policy. But adopting such a policy is just the first step. Bruce and Bob discuss the actual application of these policies, providing examples where managers and supervisors not only actively listen to employees, but take concrete action based on what they hear, and working together with employees to create win-win solutions.

Kimberly Doud and Nancy Johnson of Littler’s Orlando office are back to discuss recent developments in Florida – Florida’s new liability shield law relating to lawsuits claiming damages for COVID-related injuries, damages or death, and Florida’s latest executive order prohibiting state agencies from issuing “vaccine passports.” Kimberly and Nancy discuss the impact of these two state actions on employers in Florida and provide tips on what employers can do now in light of these actions.

Kimberly Doud and Nancy Johnson of Littler’s Orlando office discuss COVID-related updates affecting employers in Florida, including a notable executive order issued on March 10, 2021 by Governor DeSantis and recent federal OSHA announcements. Kim and Nancy also focus on the American Rescue Plan, addressing its provisions concerning unemployment insurance, employer-provided sick leave, and more.

In this podcast, Kimberly Doud and Nancy Johnson of Littler’s Orlando office discuss OSHA’s role in enforcement of various COVID-related safety regulations. The conversation also includes some insight into what to expect should OSHA issue an emergency temporary standard by March 15, and some tips on how to prepare for what is likely to come.

Kimberly Doud and Nancy Johnson of Littler’s Orlando office continue the discussion on COVID-19 vaccines. This episode covers employer concerns about employees voicing their vaccine opinions in the workplace and how to handle an anti-vaxxer movement. This conversation will help employers navigate the COVID-19 landscape to continue moving forward with each new day in America.

Kimberly Doud and Nancy Johnson of Littler’s Orlando office continue the discussion on COVID-19 vaccines, focusing this time on unionized workforces and answering a listener’s question regarding COVID-19 vaccinations in residential school settings. This conversation will help employers navigate the COVID-19 landscape to continue moving forward with each new day in America.

Kimberly Doud and Nancy Johnson of Littler’s Orlando office are joined by Miami shareholder Finn Pressly to continue the discussion on COVID-19 vaccines and to focus on the use of incentive plans as a tool to encourage employees to vaccinate. This conversation should help employers navigate the landscape to continue moving forward with each new day in America.

Kimberly Doud and Nancy Johnson of Littler’s Orlando office discuss how the COVID-19 crisis is impacting Florida workforces. In this second podcast, Kimberly and Nancy discuss vaccines – the availability in Florida, how Florida has distributed its vaccines and the issues employers need to start confronting with respect to vaccinations of workforces. While things may get worse before they get better on the COVID-19 front, these candid conversations will assist employers in moving forward with each new day in America.

Kimberly Doud and Nancy Johnson of Littler’s Orlando office discuss how the COVID-19 crisis is impacting Florida workforces. This first podcast recaps the 2020 landscape and takes a peek at some of the Biden administration’s new executive orders. Future episodes will tackle singular topics such as vaccines, unemployment issues, and more. While things may get worse before they get better on the COVID-19 front, these candid conversations will assist employers in moving forward with each new day in America.

What executive and regulatory actions might the Biden administration take with respect to DACA, travel bans, and H-1B visas? How might the ongoing pandemic affect plans for comprehensive immigration reform? In this podcast, Jorge Lopez, shareholder and chair of Littler’s Global Mobility and Immigration Practice Group, joins practice group members Sean McCrory and Michelle White to discuss possible immigration policy changes in the year ahead.

Anna Park, an attorney in Littler’s Los Angeles office, and Julie Stockton, an attorney in Littler’s San Francisco office, discuss the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which remains in effect despite the recent passage of Proposition 24 in California. Anna and Julie also explore the details of Prop 24, otherwise known as the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) and how it will change the legal landscape for employers in California.

San Francisco Littler attorneys Julie Stockton and Courtney Chambers address gender identity and sexual orientation issues in the workplace. In this episode they are joined by Anne Sanchez LaWer, an employee benefits attorney in Littler’s San Jose office, as they discuss the implications of the recent Supreme Court ruling in Bostock on employer sponsored health and welfare plan compliance.

In this third of a three-part series, Littler Los Angeles Shareholder and trial attorney Helene Wasserman interviews Dr. Dan Gallipeau, co-founder and President of Dispute Dynamics, a nationally-recognized jury consulting firm, about what a jury trial is likely to look like in our safety-conscious and socially-distanced COVID era.

In this second of a three-part series, Littler Los Angeles Shareholder and trial attorney Helene Wasserman interviews Dr. Dan Gallipeau, co-founder and President of Dispute Dynamics, a nationally-recognized jury consulting firm, about how the lens through which jurors are evaluating evidence has changed in this COVID era, and what trial attorneys should consider when developing trial themes, during, and after, COVID.

In this first of a three-part series, Littler Los Angeles Shareholder and trial attorney Helene Wasserman interviews Dr. Dan Gallipeau, co-founder and President of Dispute Dynamics, a nationally-recognized jury consulting firm, about how jurors have changed in this COVID era, and what trial attorneys should consider when selecting juries during, and after, COVID.

In this first of a series of podcasts, San Francisco Littler attorneys Julie Stockton and Courtney Chambers explain Bostock v. Clayton County, the U.S. Supreme Court decision recognizing protections for gay, lesbian, and transgender individuals under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, as well as outline immediate next steps in light of this monumental decision.

On Monday, June 22, 2020, the White House announced a temporary suspension on new work visas, which will be in place until at least the end of this calendar year. The order blocks entry for those who enter the country under certain visa categories, such as the H-1B and L-1 visas, among others. Littler attorneys Jorge Lopez and Michelle White explain what this new rule means for both American and international employers.

Even though most shelter in place orders have been lifted, and some courthouses are reopening, much of the work in the legal profession is still being conducted remotely. While there may be both advantages and disadvantages to litigating over the internet, virtual litigation is here to stay. In this podcast, Littler shareholders Helene Wasserman and Bruce Sarchet discuss a budding area of the virtual litigation landscape – virtual mediation. While there are challenges to this new platform, opportunities are present as well. Bruce and Helene discuss some key observations from these early days of virtual mediation, including the results of a survey of recently-completed virtual mediations. Finally, practical suggestions are offered for successfully using virtual mediation to resolve pending litigation.

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has created significant workplace challenges across the United States. Many employers have had to restructure their workforces in light of the pandemic and mandatory stay-at-home orders. What happens when the orders are lifted, business resumes, and employees return to work? In this podcast, Alka Ramchandani-Raj, Of Counsel in Littler’s Walnut Creek office and a member of Littler's COVID-19 Task Force, and Melissa Peters, Special Counsel in Littler’s Walnut Creek office and also a member of the firm's COVID-19 Task Force, address some of the common questions employers will face as they return their employees back to the workplace.