This week on Ground Rules, Pam, Doug, and Jen welcome back former Idaho Employment Lawyers attorney Ben Cramer, now serving as a civil deputy prosecuting attorney for Canyon County. Ben shares what employment law looks like from the public employer side and why those cases often come with added layers of complexity.

The conversation focuses on whistleblower claims under the Idaho Protection of Public Employees Act (IPPEA), including why these claims can be difficult to evaluate and how the lack of clear case law leaves employers making tough judgment calls. The team also discusses the critical role of documentation, the challenges created by public records requests, and why government employers must think carefully about what gets written down — and where it is kept.

The episode also explores broader trends affecting both public and private employers, including the rise in employment claims, increased disability-related issues, and the growing overlap between laws like the ADA, FMLA, and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.

*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 episode, we are joined by IEL attorney and Idaho State Representative Megan Egbert to discuss proposed legislation from the 2026 session that could impact employers across the state. We cover bills involving public accommodation liability, independent contractor benefits, e-Verify requirements, nondiscrimination ordinances, and other trends Megan is seeing this year.

Although these bills are not final yet, the direction of the legislation raises important compliance questions—especially for small and mid-size employers. Staying informed now can help employers avoid surprises later.

*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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When an employee complaint comes in, the first 24 hours can shape everything that follows. In this episode, Pam Howland, Doug Plass, and Jennifer Walrath walk through the critical early steps employers should take—from acknowledging the complaint and reviewing policies to preserving evidence and planning an investigation. They also discuss common mistakes that can create additional legal risk and why a prompt, organized response is essential.

*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 episode of Ground Rules, we continue our Law for Leaders book club with Chapter Two: At-Will Employment.

What does “at-will” really mean—and what does it not mean? The team breaks down common misconceptions (including the difference between at-will and right-to-work), why documentation matters more than ever, and how failing to clearly communicate termination decisions can fuel discrimination claims.

We also discuss when employment agreements make sense, what can knock you out of at-will status, and why rising Human Rights Commission claims should have every employer paying attention.

If you supervise people, this is a foundational conversation you can’t afford to miss.

*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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What happens when something in the workplace—like perfume, dogs, or even food allergens—triggers a serious medical reaction for an employee? In this episode, Pam Howland, Jennifer Walrath, and Doug Plass talk through how employers should approach allergens and irritants as potential ADA accommodation issues.

They cover common (and not-so-common) scenarios, including fragrance sensitivities, pet-friendly offices, and severe allergies, and explain why the interactive process matters more than having a perfect answer. You’ll also hear practical accommodation ideas, what employers are not required to do, and how to navigate situations where accommodations conflict.

*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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An IHRC complaint is one of those things that can make an employer’s stomach drop. But what you do next matters—a lot.

In this episode, Pam Howland is joined by Doug Plass and Jennifer Walrath to talk through how employers should respond when they receive a complaint from the Idaho Human Rights Commission (IHRC) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). They explain how the agencies work together, what the investigator is actually trying to decide, and why a well-written response can dramatically impact the outcome.

You’ll hear practical tips on:

• Gathering the right documents and preserving records
• Responding to each allegation clearly and carefully
• Avoiding common “off-the-cuff” mistakes that can come back to haunt you
• When to consider a workplace investigation—even after an employee is gone
• Why mediation and conciliation can be powerful tools to resolve a claim early

If you’re an employer, HR professional, or supervisor, this episode is a must-listen for navigating one of the most stressful moments in workplace law.

*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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On January 22, 2026, the EEOC rescinded its 2024 harassment guidance—an update many employers and attorneys viewed as a long-overdue, practical resource. In this episode, Pam Howland and Jennifer Walrath break down what EEOC guidance is, what the 2024 harassment guidance covered (including technology and post-Bostock workplace issues), and why the EEOC’s decision to pull it matters. We also discuss what this could signal about changing enforcement priorities in 2026—and what employers should focus on regardless: consistency, documentation, and taking all complaints seriously.

*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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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!

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