This Week at Work

Navigating Your Way to the Right Talent

ep216: Today we talk about sourcing. The perfect fit for your opening is out there, but every wrong turn wastes time, burns resources, and increases your chances of getting lost along the way. Kris Gfell, HR Business Manager at AAIM, joins us to offer insights into what methods our HR by the Hour team is implementing to successfully source talent. Plus, Burt's back and he’ll let us peek inside his briefcase which is full of breaking news in employment law.
 
Lawyer on the Clock:
5:59 - In Illinois, the Paid Leave for All Workers Act goes into effect January 1, 2024, which gives employees up to 40 hours of paid leave during the 12 month period that they can take for any reason.
09:49 - OSHA has announced a very aggressive plan to address employer workplace safety in 2023, making it easier to issue citations for individual situations.
12:45 - Congress is easing criminal offense restrictions for employment with financial institutions. 
13:51 - There is a case in front of the Supreme Court right now regarding religious accommodations.
 
Philburt’s Phorum: 
18:09 - Let’s play Hired or Not Hired!
 
The Employer’s Lounge
22:54 - What is the biggest problem recruiters face?
24:21 - The population growth in those in the 15 to 64 age group has flattened since 2020, and that’s going to continue.
25:17 - Sourcing is going out and finding candidates, rather than just posting and hoping to get candidates. 
 
Host(s): 
Phil Brandt, President and CEO, AAIM Employers’ Association
Burt Garland, Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins
 
Guest(s):
Kris Gfell, AAIM HR Business Manager
 
Powered by AAIM Employers’ Association and Ogletree Deakins, a Feature Group USA production 

Does Your Data Work for You?

ep215: Data is power, and that kind of power needs to be driven by your “WHY”. Tanya Zion provides real examples to show how simple questions can lead to meaningful change. Plus, Tom Chibnall goes deeper into the impact data can have on difficult decisions like the mass layoffs we're seeing in the tech industry.
 
Lawyer on the Clock:
6:11 - Adverse impact analysis - With mass layoffs at big employers like Microsoft and Salesforce, we’re reminded to evaluate the risks involved with workforce reductions, like unintended bias.
 
Philburt’s Phorum: 
15:46 - A funny look at intuition vs. data.
 
The Employer’s Lounge
18:04 - How do you get the CEO to listen to the data? Make sure your “Why” is the driving force.
22:00 - When management says, “We communicate effectively, but the employees just don’t care.”
24:32 - Poll results - How likely would an employee at your organization be able to accurately state their contribution to the strategic mission?
26:00 - The importance of training supervisors, closing the loop, and asking the right questions.
 
Host(s): 
Phil Brandt, President and CEO, AAIM Employers’ Association
Tom Chibnall, Associate Attorney, Ogletree Deakins
 
Guest(s):
Tanya Zion, Senior HR Consultant
 
Powered by AAIM Employers’ Association and Ogletree Deakins, a Feature Group USA production 

People Analytics: From Data to Decisions

ep214: We bring insights into people analytics and opportunities to back up your decisions with metrics. At the same time, we discuss the EEOC's plan to target employers using AI to make employment decisions.
 
Lawyer on the Clock:
4:17 - The EEOC released its 2023 Strategic Enforcement Plan and specifically targets artificial intelligence programs that are designed to help the recruitment, hiring, and promotion processes of personnel decisions. It is your responsibility to unearth any inherent bias in your processes, even if provided by a vendor.
10:28 - Next week we’ll get into large group layoffs and using the right data to help defend personnel decisions.
 
Philburt’s Phorum: 
12:57 - Fun with data no matter which side of the analytics fence you’re on.
 
The Employer’s Lounge
15:53 - Do you use people analytics in your organization?
18:49 - The importance of asking, “Why?”, to get the best results.
20:33 - The risks and opportunities of people analytics.
26:40 - Real world examples of people analytics.
 
Host(s): 
Phil Brandt, President and CEO, AAIM Employers’ Association
Tom Chibnall, Associate Attorney, Ogletree Deakins
 
Guest(s):
Tanya Zion, Senior HR Consultant
 
Powered by AAIM Employers’ Association and Ogletree Deakins, a Feature Group USA production 

Set Your Successes to Loop

ep213: 
0:15 - Meet Jack Becker, US Navy Fighter Pilot and one of our featured keynote speakers presenting at our 9th Annual AAIM Leadership Conference. He shares valuable insights on how to repeat success, not failure. Plus Tom Chibnall fills in for Burt as the Lawyer on the Clock to cover the FTC's recent non-compete announcement.
 
Lawyer on the Clock:
 
4:14 - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a statement saying it was going to issue a formal notice to essentially ban non-competes. This is currently in the rulemaking process, when the agency hears from the public.
 
8:40 - Disney CEO Bob Iger issues a return to office decree to employees.
 
11:33 - Back to non-compete news. Expect Lawsuits.
 
Philburt’s Phorum: 
 
13:48 - Examples of the 4 Types of Humor. Which are the right ones and wrong ones for the office?
 
The Employer’s Lounge
 
17:44 - Poll results: Sports Coach gets the most votes of confidence to be a great leader.
 
19:30 - Meet our mystery guest, Jack Becker.
 
23:10 - Jack takes audiences on a mission to repeat your successes and not repeat your failures by learning from your wingmen through debriefing.
 
25:43 - The Top Gun process that Jack brings to his engagements - brief, execute, debrief.
 
Host(s): 
Phil Brandt, President and CEO, AAIM Employers’ Association
Tom Chibnall, Associate Attorney, Ogletree Deakins
 
Guest(s):
Jack Becker, Former US Navy Fighter Pilot and Keynote Speaker at the 9th Annual AAIM Leadership Conference on May 3rd
 
Powered by AAIM Employers’ Association and Ogletree Deakins, a Feature Group USA production 

The GREATEST RISK to Your Career

ep212: 
0:12 - What is the greatest risk to your career? The status quo. Sure, there’s a risk to change, but the bigger risk just might be changing nothing. Plus, the new hybrid…workers and their pets, LOL!
Lawyer on the Clock:
 
3:38 - Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, who it affects, and what is required of employers.
 
8:36 - The Federal Trade Commission is cracking down on the use of non-compete clauses for lower level employees. 
 
13:07 - A new amendment in Illinois, going into effect 1/1/2023 provides that there is a mandatory, unpaid, 20 minute meal break for any employee who works for seven and one half continuous hours or longer, which must be provided within the first 5 hours worked.
Philburt’s Phorum: 
 
13:52 - The dog ate my homework! Working with pets
 
The Employer’s Lounge
 
17:32 - Planning and goal setting for the new year: Phil provides his favorite form for this process, which helps break it up into trackable sections and timeframes.
 
22:27 - Poll Results: What do you see as the greatest risk to achieving success in your career?
 
25:03 - Employment numbers have returned to pre-pandemic levels, but even the Fed says they see unemployment rising in 2023.
 
28:15 -  We want to invite everyone to participate on January 12th when we cover the national report of predicted trends of 2023.
 
Host(s): 
Phil Brandt, President and CEO, AAIM Employers’ Association
Burton Garland, Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins (St. Louis office)
 
Powered by AAIM Employers’ Association and Ogletree Deakins, a Feature Group USA production

10 MUST-WATCH Clips from This Week at Work

Clip 1 - 0:36 - The challenges of engaging and recognizing employees in a hybrid workforce
 
Clip 2 - 4:40 - The #1 legal issue created with performance reviews: Grade Inflation!
 
Clip 3 - 7:23 - HR professionals are challenged now to manage worker psyche without enabling an open door policy for employees to say and do whatever they want.
 
Clip 4 - 10:52 - Admittedly not the sexiest portion of OSHA law, having your OSHA 300 logs prepared and at the ready is essential to your protection.
 
Clip 5 - 11:57 - HR budgeting all ties back to talent acquisition.
 
Clip 6 - 14:42 - Two things that great leaders all have in common, being resourceful and making decisions.
 
Clip 7 - 15:56 - Do not engage in “career limiting behavior” at office parties
 
Clip 8 - 18:04 - Phil caught in the act? And is there a reliable medical test to determine if someone is under the influence of marijuana?
 
Clip 9 - 21:12 - The objective of proper documentation is to provide reliable information recorded at a time when a dispute or litigation is not yet present.
 
Clip 10 - 24:11 - Burt’s rule of thumb: If you are a supervisory employee, do not be friends with your subordinate employees on social media.
 
Clip 11 - 25:56 - BONUS! Minimum wage adjustments, the Respect for Marriage Act, and the $2.7 TRILLION spending bill
 
Host(s): 
Phil Brandt, President and CEO, AAIM Employers’ Association
Burton Garland, Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins (St. Louis office)
 
Guest(s):
Tanya Zion, Strategic Business Consultant and Executive Coach
Melissa Pece, Senior Counsel, Ogletree Deakins
Michael Maciekowich, Astron Solutions
Tom Chibnall, Ogletree Deakins
Jim Plunkett, Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins (Washington D.C. office)
 
Powered by AAIM Employers’ Association and Ogletree Deakins, a Feature Group USA production 
 

Breaking News from D.C.

ep210: 
0:15 - From Lame Duck to New Paddlers: What Employers Can Expect From Congress. Special guest Jim Plunkett, This Week at Work’s Washington D.C. insider, gives us the scoop on efforts from the House Democratic majority prior to handing control over to Republicans, and also what might be the first order of business for the newly sworn in. Plus, we have a little fun at the expense of the office politicians we all know. 
Lawyer on the Clock:
 
4:37 - Minimum wage adjustments, the Respect for Marriage Act, the $2.7 TRILLION spending bill ($13.8 BILLION of which is devoted to the US Department of Labor and $299 MILLION for the NLRB).
 
9:57 - New study from Bloomberg Law suggests substantially weaker job growth in 2022 than official figures suggest.
 
Philburt’s Phorum: 
 
13:52 - 7 office politicians according to Quill.com.
 
The Employer’s Lounge
 
17:30 - Lame Duck: Congress hammers out an agreement to avoid the National Freight Rail strike, the National Defense Authorization Act, and signs point to avoiding a federal government shutdown.
 
24:06 - Current Activity: NLRB very busy with John Ring exiting the board, Bernie Sanders is the new chair of the Senate Health Committee.
 
30:10 - New Paddlers: Republican control means little chance of major labor and employment legislation passing and holding the NLRB’s feet to the fire. If you like political theater, get the popcorn ready!
 
Host(s): 
Burton Garland, Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins (St. Louis office)
 
Guest(s):
Jim Plunkett, Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins (Washington D.C. office)
 
Powered by AAIM Employers’ Association and Ogletree Deakins, a Feature Group USA production 
 

Fire that Tweet! HR’s Role in Social Media

ep208: 
0:15 - Today on This Week at Work: What is HR’s Role in Social Media? How far can you stretch online to protect your reputation? Is it your job to sniff out posts of abuse or safety and security concerns? The topic can be overwhelming, but stick around until the end, and if Phil and Burt don’t make you smile, drop us a note and we’ll make it right!
Lawyer on the Clock:
 
4:44 - The Department of Labor has at least 52,644 comments to comb through regarding a new proposed rule on independent contractor classification. 
 
7:40 - National Labor Relations Board news. The NLRB has a new weapon in its arsenal for going after employers and to discourage unfair labor practice charges. Plus, the NLRB also has proposed rule changes that are going to make union organizing a little bit easier.
 
11:35 - News Year, New Laws in Illinois, including expanding the protections afforded under what was called the Child Bereavement Leave Act, and broadening the scope of the Illinois Human Rights Act.
 
Philburt’s Phorum: 
 
16:51 - Fun with social media memes. 
 
The Employer’s Lounge
 
19:15 - Poll results: What is your number one concern related to social media and the workplace?
 
22:45 - Employer rights when it comes to social media.
 
24:33 - Question from Paul: Am I obligated to investigate a questionable post brought to me by an employee about another employee? In other words, what do I want to know versus what I need to know?
 
28:50 - Burt’s rule of thumb: If you are a supervisory employee, a managerial level employee, do not be friends with your subordinate employees on social media.
 
Host(s): 
Phil Brandt, President and CEO of AAIM Employers’ Association
Burton Garland, Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins

Bad Documentation Kills: Tips on Proper Employee Documentation

ep208: 
0:15 - Today on This Week at Work: Bad Documentation Kills! Good employment documentation can help you, but bad documentation can end you. Phil and Burt are here for you offering tips and tricks to cover your assets. 
 
Lawyer on the Clock:
 
3:32 - Missouri officially becomes a “Right to Weed” state, but you can’t just walk into a dispensary and purchase marijuana, at least not yet. 
Texas verdict requires Southwest Airlines to pay $4.15 million, and the union another $1.15 million in a religious expression case. 
U.S. Supreme Court hears case 303 Creative v Elenis regarding a website designer challenging Colorado state law that she says would violate her religious beliefs.
 
Philburt’s Phorum: 
 
15:53 - Helping decipher “the code” on performance reviews. What the recorded traits of employees really means. 
 
The Employer’s Lounge
 
19:10 - Burt talks about improper employment documentation and what to watch out for, with the real goal to help you as the employer, manage employee expectations during your quest to make a profit or for non-profits, make a real difference.
 
23:50 - The objective of proper documentation is to provide reliable information recorded at a time when a dispute or litigation is not yet present.
 
29:26 - How should you get the employee’s side of the story when they are accused of wrongdoing?
 
Host(s): 
Phil Brandt, President and CEO of AAIM Employers’ Association
Burton Garland, Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins

Managing Workers’ Right to Weed

ep207: 
What does the legalization of marijuana for recreational use mean to you and your workplace? Should you update your policies? Change background check procedures? Anticipate increased workers comp and unemployment claims? Master Sergeant Tyler Jenkins from the Missouri State Highway Patrol revisits the show to share tips on recognizing common signs of being under the influence of weed at work. And as always, we cover all the breaking news you need to know as you manage your business and people.
 
0:15 - Today on This Week at Work.
3:15 - Steamy evidence that perhaps Phil didn’t follow his own suggestions from episode 206 on office parties.
 
Lawyer on the Clock:
 
5:51 - Biden's pick for the top EEOC attorney, Karla Gilbride, gets Senate panel approval. The Senate Health, Labor and Pensions Committee voted to advance the nomination of Jessica Lumen. 
 
9:25 - Burt challenges Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s claims that the shortfall in labor force participation in the US, mostly due to excess retirements, is going to turn around soon. And the House passed legislation to preempt a nationwide rail shutdown.
 
Philburt’s Phorum: 
 
16:08 - “You’ve Got a Friend in (Weed).” Cheech/Chong, Snoop/Martha, and Elon.
 
The Employer’s Lounge: Holiday Office Party Risk vs. Reward
 
19:00 - Master Sergeant Tyler Jenkins from the Missouri State Highway Patrol joins Phil and Burt to discuss Weed at Work as Missouri passes legislation to legalize the recreational use of marijuana.
 
21:09 - Tips on how to spot workers when under the influence of marijuana (Indicia of Impairment).
 
24:30 - Is there a reliable medical test to determine if someone is under the influence of marijuana?
 
26:15 - Exceptions to the recent change in marijuana law and how to manage the workplace from an employer’s or human resource professional’s perspective.
 
Host(s): 
Phil Brandt, President and CEO of AAIM Employers’ Association
Burton Garland, Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins
 
Guest(s):
Master Sergeant T. R. Jenkins, Drug Recognition Expert with the Missouri State Highway Patrol - Zone 9, St. Charles County
 
Powered by AAIM Employers’ Association and Ogletree Deakins, a Feature Group USA production