The Workplace: a Podcast by CalChamber

Episode 48: What AB 51’s Preliminary Injunction Means for California Employers

In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank is joined by special guest Donald M. Falk, partner at Mayer Brown, to discuss the CalChamber’s successful legal challenge to AB 51 that he helped lead and what steps employers should take now that a preliminary injunction has been issued.

Episode 47: Super Bowl Flu, Gambling and Red Carpet Reviews: The Impact of Cultural Events in the Workplace

In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and employment law expert Jennifer Shaw discuss the ways that cultural events like the Super Bowl  and the Academy Awards can create potential issues and affect productivity at work.  

Episode 46: New Law Expands Definition of Registered Domestic Partnership, Add Flex Plan Notice Requirement

In keeping with the new year theme, today's podcast includes two new "sleeper laws" that took effect on Jan. 1, 2020. These laws have not been highly publicized or spoken about frequently in the news, yet are still important for employers to know. In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and employment law experts Matthew Roberts and Bianca Saad highlight laws on domestic partnerships and flexible spending accounts, sexual harassment prevention deadlines, and new required updates for workplace posters and pamphlets.

Episode 45: Podcast Shares Questions Asked Most Often at Employment Law Updates Seminars

In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and employment law experts Matthew Roberts and Bianca Saad recap the topics on which they received the most questions during their seminars: the CROWN Act, expansion of lactation accommodation law, wildfire regulations, and meal and rest breaks.

Episode 44: HR Experts Recap New State Lactation Accommodation Rules

California's new lactation accommodation requirements, effective Jan. 1, 2020, impacts a broad spectrum of California employers. In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and employment law experts Matthew Roberts and Bianca Saad discuss new lactation accommodation requirements, highlighting location specifications, a new policy requirement, rest and meal break premium pay penalties, private right of action, exceptions, and the undue hardship exemption.

Episode 43: What to Do When Your HR Recommendations Are Ignored, Dismissed

Human resources professionals often have some of the most difficult conversations in the workplace. Whether they need to mediate workplace conflict or craft policies that comply with state and federal laws, the advice HR professionals provide can be an invaluable asset to businesses. Sometimes, however, HR professionals can be perceived as simply wanting to ruin workplace fun.

In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and employment law expert Jennifer Shaw discuss ways HR experts can combat dismissive attitudes from leadership and help the workplace comply with federal and state laws.

Episode 42: How Festive Is Too Festive? Tone from the Top Is Key to Avoiding Trouble

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and many companies are deciding to join in the festivities by hosting a holiday party. Although wine or an open bar might seem like a good way to celebrate, employers should be aware that they are on the hook for any mishaps. In this episode of The Workplace podcast, employment law expert Jennifer Shaw joins CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank to discuss what employers can do to avoid the problems that arise when employees drink too much at a company party.

Episode 41: Avoid Secret Santa and Gift Exchange Pitfalls at Work

As the days inch closer to Christmas, some workplaces may be getting ready to launch a Secret Santa gift exchange. But don’t buy your presents just yet. In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and employment law expert Jennifer Shaw get help from clips of “The Office” to discuss what types of gifts to avoid if your workplace decides to exchange gifts for the holidays.

Episode 40: Tips to Make Performance Reviews Beneficial to Both Employers and Employees

Annual performance reviews can be helpful for both employers and employees if done right, or can be useless if done poorly. In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and employment law expert Jennifer Shaw discuss employee performance reviews and provide tips on how to draft constructive evaluations.

With the help of a clip of from the television series “The Office,” Frank and Shaw delve into what works for effective performance evaluations and what does not.

Episode 39: Prop. 65 Warnings for Acrylamide in Food Not Backed by Current Scientific Data, Suit Argues

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, CalChamber Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and consumer product attorney Trenton Norris discuss acrylamide and the CalChamber's efforts to stop Prop.65 overwarning about acrylamide in food.