Employment handbooks may not be exciting—but they remain one of the most effective tools employers have to prevent claims and defend against liability. In this episode of Ground Rules, Pam Howland and Doug Plass break down why 2026 is a critical year to revisit and update your handbook, even if you think yours is “recent enough.”

They discuss emerging and evolving issues employers should be addressing now, including AI use in the workplace, social media conduct, harassment and discrimination policies, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), infectious disease protocols, remote work expectations, confidentiality, and respectful workplace standards. The takeaway is simple: your handbook should be a living document that reflects how work actually happens today—and prepares you for the issues most likely to arise tomorrow.

*Ground Rules hosts and guests are not providing legal advice in this podcast. Do not act upon any of the information discussed in this podcast without first consulting a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.*

📖 Available now on Amazon! Law for Leaders: The Roadmap Every Leader Needs to Know to Avoid Workplace Claims and Lawsuits

Written for busy leaders who need straightforward answers, this guide cuts through legal complexity to deliver fundamental knowledge that can help protect your business. Don't risk a preventable lawsuit - arm yourself with the practical wisdom that only comes from decades of courtroom experience. Purchase your copy here!

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In this Law for Leaders Book Club episode, the attorneys at Idaho Employment Lawyers break down why supervisor training is one of the most effective ways to prevent workplace claims. Supervisors make daily decisions that can expose employers to risk — often without realizing it.

The discussion covers evolving compliance issues supervisors need to recognize, including ADA accommodations, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, religious accommodations, social media concerns, and emerging workplace risks. This episode explains why training can’t be “one and done” — and why it matters more than ever.

*Ground Rules hosts and guests are not providing legal advice in this podcast. Do not act upon any of the information discussed in this podcast without first consulting a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.*

📖 Available now on Amazon! Law for Leaders: The Roadmap Every Leader Needs to Know to Avoid Workplace Claims and Lawsuits

Written for busy leaders who need straightforward answers, this guide cuts through legal complexity to deliver fundamental knowledge that can help protect your business. Don't risk a preventable lawsuit - arm yourself with the practical wisdom that only comes from decades of courtroom experience. Purchase your copy here!

Don't miss out!
🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn
📧 Sign up for our email blast
📚 Learn more about our Law for Leaders Training Program
👥 Learn more about your Hosts and Idaho Employment Lawyers

In this episode of Ground Rules: Employment Law Over Your Coffee Break, Pam Howland, Doug Plass, and Jennifer Walrath break down the U.S. Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services and what it means for employers moving forward.

The Court’s ruling eliminates higher proof requirements for so-called “reverse discrimination” claims, placing all Title VII plaintiffs on equal footing—regardless of whether they are considered part of a majority or minority group. Combined with recent EEOC guidance encouraging more claims, this decision signals a shift employers can’t afford to ignore.

We discuss why employers may see an increase in discrimination claims, and what practical steps—especially around documentation, investigations, and supervisor training—can help reduce risk as 2026 unfolds.

*Ground Rules hosts and guests are not providing legal advice in this podcast. Do not act upon any of the information discussed in this podcast without first consulting a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.*

📖 Available now on Amazon! Law for Leaders: The Roadmap Every Leader Needs to Know to Avoid Workplace Claims and Lawsuits

Written for busy leaders who need straightforward answers, this guide cuts through legal complexity to deliver fundamental knowledge that can help protect your business. Don't risk a preventable lawsuit - arm yourself with the practical wisdom that only comes from decades of courtroom experience. Purchase your copy here!

Don't miss out!
🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn
📧 Sign up for our email blast
📚 Learn more about our Law for Leaders Training Program
👥 Learn more about your Hosts and Idaho Employment Lawyers