Best Steel Toe Review Podcasts (2025)

1
Defensible Decisions: EEOC’s Pattern-or-Practice Priorities and What Employers Should Expect

Play Pause

6d ago

—

In this inaugural episode of Ogletree Deakins’ Defensible Decisions podcast, Scott Kelly (shareholder, Birmingham) sits down with Nonnie Shivers (office managing shareholder, Phoenix) to unpack the EEOC’s renewed emphasis on systemic, pattern-or-practice enforcement in the wake of a restored quorum and recent leadership moves. This shift highlights…

1
Defensible Decisions: Section 503 and VEVRAA Updated Thresholds Explained

6d ago

—

In this episode of our Defensible Decisions podcast, shareholders Scott Kelly (Birmingham) and Chris Near (Columbia) unpack the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs’s (OFCCP) updated jurisdictional thresholds for Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 503) and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA). Effecti…

1
Cross-Border Catch-Up: Unpacking Singapore’s Workplace Fairness (Dispute Resolution) Bill

6d ago

—

In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Goli Rahimi (Chicago) and Kate Thompson (New York, Boston) unpack Singapore’s new Workplace Fairness (Dispute Resolution) Bill to explain how the new grievance and dispute resolution process will work, and what procedural safeguards and employee protections will come into effect. The spea…

1
Safety Perspectives From the Dallas Region: Challenging OSHA’s Authority in the Fifth Circuit

7d ago

—

In this episode of our Safety Perspectives From the Dallas Region podcast series, shareholders John Surma (Houston) and Frank Davis (Dallas) break down a new Amarillo federal lawsuit that challenges OSHA’s authority to issue safety standards as an unconstitutional delegation of legislative power. The speakers analyze how the case intersects with re…

1
Dirty Steel-Toe Boots: Developing and Implementing Effective OSHA Inspection Protocols

8d ago

—

In this episode of Dirty Steel-Toe Boots, Phillip Russell (shareholder, Tampa) and Lance Witcher (shareholder, St. Louis), discuss how to empower your workforce through developing, training on, and executing effective OSHA inspection protocols. From definitions of rights and responsibilities, to how to handle document requests and employee intervie…

1
Cross-Border Catch-Up: 2026 Employment Law Changes in Poland, Belgium, and the Netherlands

9d ago

—

In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Shirin Aboujawde (New York) and Goli Rahimi (Chicago) discuss major employment law changes in Poland, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Goli and Shirin, both of whom are members of the firm’s Cross-Border Practice Group, highlight a Polish Labor Code provision that significantly impacts how l…

1
Payroll Brass Tax: Holiday Gifts, Gift Cards, and the Taxable Truth 21:03

9d ago21:03

21:03

Holiday gifts feel generous—but for payroll they’re often taxable. In this episode of Payroll Brass Tax, Mike Mahoney (shareholder, Morristown/New York) and Stephen Kenney (associate, Dallas) break down when gifts, gift cards, and raffle prizes count as wages, and how the de minimis fringe benefit rules really work. The speakers also discuss the me…

1
ayroll Brass Tax: Unemployment Tax Rate Season, Part 2—Claims, M&A Activity, and Successor Issues 20:38

1M ago20:38

20:38

In part two of this two-part Payroll Brass Tax podcast series, Mike Mahoney (shareholder, Morristown/New York), who is the chair of the Employment Tax Group, and Stephen Kenney (associate, Dallas) continue their conversation about unemployment tax rate notices. The speakers discuss managing claims to protect employers’ rates and different strategie…

1
Inside the Exclusive: Highly Sensitive Sexual Harassment and Assault Investigations 23:39

1M ago23:39

23:39

n this podcast recorded at our 2025 Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive® seminar, Tiffany Stacy (office managing shareholder, San Antonio) and Lisa Burton (office managing shareholder, Boston, Portland, ME) explore the complexities of conducting investigations of highly sensitive issues. Lisa and Tiffany offer insights and tips for han…

1
Payroll Brass Tax: Unemployment Tax Rate Season, Part 1—Best Practices and Avoiding Pitfalls 22:54

1M ago22:54

22:54

In part one of this two-part Payroll Brass Tax podcast series, Mike Mahoney (shareholder, Morristown/New York), who is the chair of the Employment Tax Group, is joined by Stephen Kenney (associate, Dallas) to demystify unemployment tax rate notices—the one piece of mail that can swing your payroll costs by thousands or even millions. The speakers u…

1
Cross-Border Catch-Up: Practical Insights on Spain’s Short-Term Work Permit Exemptions 5:46

1M ago5:46

5:46

In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Shirin Aboujawde (New York) and Patty Shapiro (San Diego) discuss Spain’s new Royal Decree 1155/2024, which clarifies when non-European Union (EU) nationals holding a valid work permit in another EU member state can perform short-term, project-based work in Spain without securing a separa…

1
Cross-Border Catch-Up: Global Background Checks—Overcoming Legal Hurdles 6:22

1M ago6:22

6:22

In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Patty Shapiro (shareholder, San Diego) and Shirin Aboujawde (of counsel, New York) discuss the complexities of conducting background checks from an international employment law perspective. The speakers review the varying regulations and practices across different jurisdictions, including…

1
Cross-Border Catch-Up: Italy’s New Fixed-Term Employment Rules 6:37

2M ago6:37

6:37

In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Lina Fernandez (Boston) joins Julie Brooks (New York) to discuss Italy’s fast-evolving rules on fixed-term contracts, from the 12- and 24-month thresholds to the new grounds introduced by Law 85/2023. The speakers also explain caps on headcount, fresh prohibitions, heightened damages expo…

1
Inside the Exclusive: DEI Developments: What Every Employer Needs to Know 22:29

2M ago22:29

22:29

In this podcast recorded at our recent Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive® seminar, Nonnie Shivers (office managing shareholder, Phoenix) and Scott Kelly (shareholder, Birmingham) discuss the rapidly changing and increasingly complex legal landscape surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, focusing on recent enf…

1
Inside the Exclusive: The EEOC’s New Enforcement Priorities, Part 4—Gender Identity 11:05

2M ago11:05

11:05

In this podcast recorded at our recent Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive® seminar, Tae Phillips (shareholder, Birmingham), Jim Paul (shareholder, St. Louis/Tampa), and Scott Kelly (shareholder, Birmingham) continue their discussion of the EEOC’s evolving enforcement priorities—with a particular focus on gender identity issues. Scott …

1
Inside the Exclusive: The EEOC’s New Enforcement Priorities, Part 3—Disability Discrimination 5:54

2M ago5:54

5:54

In this podcast recorded at our recent Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive® seminar, Tae Phillips (shareholder, Birmingham), Jim Paul (shareholder, St. Louis/Tampa), and Scott Kelly (shareholder, Birmingham) continue their discussion of the EEOC’s evolving enforcement priorities—this time focusing on disability discrimination. Jim (who…

1
Cross-Border Catch-Up: Germany’s Working Hours Recording Requirements 8:01

2M ago8:01

8:01

In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Goli Rahimi (Chicago) and Tatjana Serbina (Berlin) break down Germany’s evolving requirements for recording employee working hours. The speakers discuss the 2019 European Court of Justice ruling mandating all EU member states to require employers to establish an objective system of record…

1
Inside the Exclusive: The EEOC’s New Enforcement Priorities, Part 2—Religious Discrimination, Harassment, and Accommodations 12:41

2M ago12:41

12:41

In this podcast recorded at our recent Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive® seminar, Tae Phillips (shareholder, Birmingham), Jim Paul (shareholder, St. Louis/Tampa), and Scott Kelly (shareholder, Birmingham) continue their discussion of the EEOC’s evolving enforcement priorities—this time addressing religious discrimination, harassment…

1
Inside the Exclusive: AI-Driven Hiring and Recruitment—Key Compliance Considerations for In-House Counsel 13:13

2M ago13:13

13:13

In this podcast recorded at Ogletree’s recent Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive® seminar, Kristin Higgins (office managing shareholder, Dallas) and Jenn Betts (office managing shareholder, Pittsburgh) discuss the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by employers, including in hiring and recruiting. Jenn, who is co-chair of Ogletree De…

1
Cross-Border Catch-Up: Unlocking the Secrets of APAC Employment Laws 8:42

2M ago8:42

8:42

In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Patty Shapiro (shareholder, San Diego) and Goli Rahimi (of counsel, Chicago) focus on the multifaceted Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, home to more than 40 countries, each with its own legal system, language, and business culture. Goli and Patty explore the diverse landscape of employee prote…

1
Inside the Exclusive: The EEOC’s New Enforcement Priorities, Part 1—National Origin Discrimination 12:39

2M ago12:39

12:39

In part one of this podcast series recorded at our recent Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive® seminar, Scott Kelly (shareholder, Birmingham), Tae Phillips (shareholder, Birmingham), and Jim Paul (shareholder, St. Louis/Tampa) discuss the EEOC’s new enforcement priorities, with a particular focus on national origin discrimination and t…

1
Inside the Exclusive: Restrictive Covenants Under the Microscope—Trends and Insights 18:32

2M ago18:32

18:32

In this podcast recorded at our recent Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive® seminar, Christine Bestor Townsend (shareholder, Milwaukee/Chicago) and Tobias Schlueter (shareholder, Chicago), explore the dynamic landscape of restrictive covenants, offer updates on recent developments, and emphasize the need for employers to adopt thoughtf…

1
Inside the Exclusive: Sorting Out Multistate Compliance Amid Shifting Federal Priorities 18:47

2M ago18:47

18:47

In this podcast recorded at our recent Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive® seminar, Dee Anna Hays (shareholder, Tampa) and Sarah Kuehnel (shareholder, Tampa/St. Louis) discuss the increasingly complex challenge of complying with a multitude of varying state laws in an era of significant changes in federal policies. Sarah and Dee Anna …

1
No Tax, No Problem for Hospitality Employers, Part 1: The New No Tax on Tips and Overtime Provisions Explained 29:26

2M ago29:26

29:26

In this inaugural episode of Ogletree’s No Tax, No Problem podcast series, Scott DeLuca (of counsel, Buffalo) and Chris Hammon (shareholder, Miami)—who are the co-chairs of Ogletree Deakins’ Hospitality Group, are joined by Mike Mahoney (shareholder, Morristown/New York) to discuss the “no tax on tips or overtime” provisions of the One Big Beautifu…

1
Inside the Exclusive: Disciplining Employees Who Have Filed Complaints—Without Inviting Retaliation Claims 18:22

2M ago18:22

18:22

In this podcast recorded at our recent Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive® seminar, Stacy Bunck (shareholder, Kansas City) and Will Ruggiero (shareholder, Stamford) discuss retaliation claims in the workplace, particularly focusing on best practices for disciplining employees who have filed complaints. Will and Stacy share insights on…

1
Global Reorganization Playbook: Top Tips for Employers 28:20

2M ago28:20

28:20

In this podcast, Roger James (partner and co-chair of Ogletree Deakins’ Global Reorganizations Practice Group, London) and Kate Martin (of counsel, London) present practical strategies for executing the HR side of complex cross-border restructurings such as RIFs with confidence. The speakers emphasize the importance of planning and coordination wit…

1
The AI Workplace: Legal Considerations for Deploying AI Notetakers 15:30

2M ago15:30

15:30

In this episode of The AI Workplace podcast series, Sam Sedaei (associate, Chicago) is joined by Simone Francis (office managing shareholder, St. Thomas; shareholder, New York) to unpack what AI notetakers are and the legal risks they raise at work, including all‑party consent, privacy and notice obligations, privilege and trade secrets, NLRA consi…

1
Litigation Lens: 7th Circuit Rules Reasonable Accommodations Must Be Effective, Not Perfect 18:09

2M ago18:09

18:09

In this episode of Ogletree Deakins’ Litigation Lens podcast series, shareholders Michael Nail (Greenville) and Fiona Ong (Baltimore) dissect a Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals case concerning an accommodation request brought under the Rehabilitation Act. The speakers explain why the Seventh Circuit found the employer’s alternative accommodation re…

1
EEOC Exclusive: Discussing the Commission’s Priorities with Quorum Restored 9:43

2M ago9:43

9:43

In this episode of Ogletree Deakins’ EEOC Exclusive podcast series, Adam Dougherty (shareholder, Dallas), D’Ontae D. Sylvertooth (shareholder, Washington), and Sean Oliveira (associate, St. Louis) discuss the priorities, philosophy, and early actions of the new EEOC leadership, exploring what the Commission’s approach (both before and after quorum)…

1
H-1B Cap Season Debrief: Selection Rates, Rule Changes, and Backup Plans 23:24

2M ago23:24

23:24

In this podcast, Meagan Dziura (Raleigh) and Awanti Damle Sharda (Raleigh) provide a comprehensive update on the latest H-1B cap lottery results, highlighting increased selection rates, a sharp drop in multiple registrations, and the potential for a new wage-weighted selection system. The speakers also discuss practical next steps for employers and…

1
EEOC Exclusive: Shutdown 101—What It Means, Who It Hits, and What’s Next 12:45

2M ago12:45

12:45

In this episode of our EEOC Exclusive podcast series, Adam Dougherty (shareholder, Dallas) sits down with D’Ontae Sylvertooth (shareholder, Washington) and Sean Oliveira (associate, St. Louis) to deliver a clear, timely breakdown of what a government shutdown means, why it happens, and how it affects everything from employers to federal workers to …

1
FMLA Compliance: Tools to Curb Abuse and Protect Your Business 16:32

2M ago16:32

16:32

In this podcast, Heather Ptasznik (shareholder, Detroit (Metro)) breaks down the challenges of managing intermittent Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave, from spotting red flags of potential abuse to maintaining consistency and morale. Heather shares practical tools for employers—clear call-out policies, certifications and recertifications, s…

1
Cross-Border Catch-Up: Charting Safe Passage Through Caribbean Workforce Restructurings 9:43

2M ago9:43

9:43

In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Carlos Colón-Machargo and Kate Thompson explore the legal complexities of reductions in force (RIFs) across the Caribbean. In this episode, the speakers unpack the differences between individual and collective redundancies, highlight key procedural requirements and jurisdictional quirks, …

1
Safety Perspectives from the Dallas Region: From Chevron to Jarkesy—The Supreme Court’s Shadow on Safety Law 19:11

3M ago19:11

19:11

In this episode of our Safety Perspectives From the Dallas Region podcast series, shareholders John Surma (Houston) and Frank Davis (Dallas) discuss the recent Fifth Circuit decision that found the dual for-cause removal protections for administrative law judges (ALJs) at the National Labor Relations Board unconstitutional and its implications for …

1
Safety Basics XVI: State Plans vs. Federal OSHA—Key Compliance Insights 25:41

3M ago25:41

25:41

In this episode of Ogletree Deakins’ Safety Basics podcast series, shareholders John Surma (Houston) and Karen Tynan (Sacramento) discuss the intricacies of state plans in comparison to federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. John and Karen, who is co-chair of Ogletree’s Workplace Safety and Health Practice Group, …

1
Litigation Lens: Unpacking ADA Compliance After the Second Circuit’s Expansive Ruling 16:12

3M ago16:12

16:12

In this second episode of Ogletree Deakins’ new podcast series Litigation Lens, Michael Nail (Greenville) is joined by Fiona Ong (Baltimore) and Sarah Zucco (New York) to discuss a recent Second Circuit decision that clarifies employers’ obligations to provide reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)—even when an em…

1
Cross-Border Catch-Up: Global Hiring—Choosing Between Employer and Agent of Record 14:44

3M ago14:44

14:44

In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Diana Nehro (shareholder, New York/Boston), who is the chair of the Cross-Border Practice Group, and Kate Thompson (associate, New York/Boston) discuss the nuances of global hiring, focusing on the differences between an employer of record (EOR) and an agent of record (AOR). The speakers …

1
Safety Basics XIV: Legal Strategies for Challenging OSHA Citations on Judicial Review 20:05

3M ago20:05

20:05

In this episode of Ogletree Deakins’ Safety Basics podcast series, John Surma (shareholder, Houston) sits down with Ryan Swink (associate, Houston) to discuss judicial review in the context of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) citations. John and Ryan review the steps employers should consider when contesting OSHA citations, the …

1
Cross-Border Catch-Up: Cultural Sensitivity in the Global Workforce 11:01

3M ago11:01

11:01

In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Skye Hao (Atlanta) and Kate Thompson (New York/Boston) discuss the importance of cultural sensitivity in global employment policies and its contribution to organizational success. Kate and Skye highlight that creating inclusive and respectful work environments enhances communication and e…

1
Cross-Border Catch-Up: The 468 Rule—What It Means for Hong Kong’s Part-Time Workforce 7:31

4M ago7:31

7:31

In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Skye Hao (Atlanta) and Lina Fernandez (Boston) explore the significant changes in Hong Kong’s employment regulations, specifically the transition from the 418 rule to the new 468 rule. The speakers discuss how this change, which will take effect in January 2026, aims to improve protection…

1
Payroll Brass Tax: SUB Plans—A Cost-Effective Alternative to Traditional Severance 21:42

4M ago21:42

21:42

In this installment of our Payroll Brass Tax podcast series, Mike Mahoney, a shareholder in the firm’s Morristown and New York offices and chair of the Employment Tax Group, speaks with Elizabeth Lutes, Executive Vice President of Transition Services, Inc., to discuss supplemental unemployment benefits (SUBs), or SUB plans. They explore how SUB pla…

1
EEOC Exclusive: Looping in Loper Bright—The Discussion 31:32

4M ago31:32

31:32

In this inaugural episode of our EEOC Exclusive podcast series, Adam Dougherty (shareholder, Dallas) sits down with Jim Paul (shareholder, St. Louis and Tampa), D’Ontae Sylvertooth (shareholder, Washington) and Sean Oliveira (associate, St. Louis) to discuss the intricacies and processes of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). T…

1
Ensuring Smooth Entry: Managing Business Travel in the U.S. 24:16

4M ago24:16

24:16

In this podcast, Meagan Dziura (Raleigh) and Derek Maka (Boston) discuss the intricacies of business travel to the United States and the importance of adhering to visa regulations. The speakers cover the limitations of B-1 visas and ESTA authorizations, the risks associated with unauthorized work, and alternative visa options such as the intermitte…

1
Safety Basics XIII: From Inspections to Indictments—The Risks of Criminal Liability in Workplace Safety 23:06

4M ago23:06

23:06

In this episode of Ogletree Deakins’ Safety Basics podcast series, John Surma (shareholder, Houston) sits down with Ryan Swink (associate, Houston) to discuss the critical topic of criminal liability in relation to occupational safety and health law. The speakers explore the nuances of the criminal provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health (…

1
Safety Perspectives From the Dallas Region: Anatomy of an OSHA Whistleblower Investigation, Part 2 24:54

5M ago24:54

24:54

In this episode of our Safety Perspectives From the Dallas Region podcast series, shareholders Frank Davis (Dallas) and John Surma (Houston) conclude their discussion with former federal whistleblower investigator Jeff Cedar. They delve into the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) whistleblower process, focusing on the importance…

1
Payroll Brass Tax: Changes in Tip and Overtime Taxation 24:09

5M ago24:09

24:09

In the latest installment of our Payroll Brass Tax podcast series, Victoria Vish (shareholder, Dallas) and Stephen Kenney (associate, Dallas) discuss the implications of the recently signed “One Big Beautiful Bill,” highlighting the bill’s no-tax-on-tips and no-tax-on-overtime provisions. Stephen and Victoria also explain the expansion of the Feder…

1
Safety Perspectives From the Dallas Region: Anatomy of an OSHA Whistleblower Investigation, Part 1 27:36

5M ago27:36

27:36

In this episode of our Safety Perspectives From the Dallas Region podcast series, shareholders John Surma (Houston) and Frank Davis (Dallas) are joined by former federal whistleblower investigator Jeff Cedar for a wide-ranging discussion of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) whistleblower investigation process. Jeff provides…

1
In The Breakroom With Bill, 8: Workplace Affairs, HR Integrity, and Organizational Trust 31:05

5M ago31:05

31:05

In this episode of In The Breakroom, host Bill Grob (shareholder, Tampa) is joined by Melissa Bailey (shareholder, Washington, D.C.) to discuss the viral Coldplay concert scandal involving high-profile executives. Melissa and Bill discuss the implications of workplace relationships, the importance of HR integrity, and the legal ramifications for co…

1
Cross-Border Catch-Up: Understanding Colombia’s New Labor Reform Law 2466 8:47

5M ago8:47

8:47

In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Lina Fernandez (Boston) and Carlos Colón-Machargo (Atlanta) discuss Colombia’s Law 2466 of 2025, a significant labor reform aimed at strengthening workers’ rights. The speakers review the key changes introduced by the law, including the prioritization of indefinite term contracts, new reg…

1
The AI Workplace: French Court Rules on Works Councils’ Role in AI Tool Rollout 14:03

5M ago14:03

14:03

In this episode of our podcast series, The AI Workplace, Sam Sedaei (associate, Chicago) is joined by Cécile Martin (partner, Paris) to discuss a landmark French court case on a company’s pilot implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) tools on select employees. The Nanterre Court of Justice ruled that deploying AI tool applications in an expe…