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Beyond the Handbook

Beyond the Handbook

By: Christopher Scott
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Beyond the Handbook is a practical, fast-moving podcast for employers, HR professionals, risk managers, and anyone responsible for navigating the messy overlap between real-world workplace issues and the laws that govern them.

Hosted by Chris Scott of Thomas, Thomas & Hafer LLP, each episode takes one HR or employment topic and breaks it down into what actually matters: what the law requires, what the handbook doesn’t tell you, and what you should be doing before Monday morning.

From ADA accommodations to disciplinary policies, workers’ compensation intersections, FMLA surprises, and multi-state compliance challenges, Beyond the Handbook focuses on real strategies, not theory.

Every episode includes a “Tool of the Week”—flowcharts, templates, scripts, or practical guides—to help you navigate the gray areas with confidence.

Beyond the Handbook — where policy ends and the real work begins.

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Episodes
  • Episode 4: The Performance Improvement Plan

    Episode 4: The Performance Improvement Plan
    Mar 4 2026

    Performance Improvement Plans: Are they genuine coaching tools or just countdown clocks? Chris Scott breaks down the framework for PIPs that work.
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    12 mins
  • FMLA: No Magic Words, Two Ways to Lose and Supervisor Liability

    FMLA: No Magic Words, Two Ways to Lose and Supervisor Liability
    Jan 15 2026

    FMLA problems rarely start with a formal request—they start with an employee saying, “I need time off,” and someone missing the cue. In this episode, we break down the real-world risks of FMLA interference vs. retaliation, why there are no “magic words” required to trigger protections, and the plot twist many employers overlook: individual supervisors can sometimes be personally liable. Practical examples, clear takeaways, and a quick tease for next time: Performance Improvement Plans—how to use them as a tool, not a countdown clock.

    Visit US at www.tthlaw.com
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    13 mins
  • Episode 2: Employee Handbooks

    Episode 2: Employee Handbooks
    Dec 3 2025

    Every employer has a disciplinary policy; not everyone has one that actually helps. In this episode, we look at how discipline can protect you in litigation, when it should give you room to act fast, and how the beloved 90-day probationary period manages to confuse everyone equally. Plus, a one-page corrective action script and documentation tool to keep “verbal warnings” from disappearing into the void.
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    15 mins
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