Hosts Claire Deason and Nicole LeFave welcome Littler attorney Alexis Knapp for a deep dive into the world of leave and accommodations. From the surge in mental health-related requests to the role of return-to-work policies in leave requests, Alexis shares what it’s like to be in the thick of it – fielding everything from open-ended FMLA certifications to AI-generated accommodation requests. The conversation explores how the post-COVID workplace has reshaped employee expectations and how employers are responding.

They also dig into how employers are handling a rise in tricky or unexpected leave scenarios and options for responding. Whether it’s navigating intermittent leave, decoding vague medical notes, or figuring out what to do when someone’s out on leave but posting vacation selfies, this episode offers a look at the realities employers are navigating.

https://www.littler.com/news-analysis/podcast/littler-lounge-pull-chair-lets-talk-leave-and-accommodations

206 - Littler Lounge: Pull Up a Chair! Let’s Talk Leave and Accommodations

Hosts Claire Deason and Nicole LeFave are joined by Littler attorney Devjani Mishra for a conversation that starts with pandemic-era policy puzzles and ends somewhere near the Supreme Court. From temperature checks in parking lots to a tidal wave of exemption requests, they trace how COVID and the Groff v. DeJoy decision have reshaped the legal framework around religious accommodation – and why employers are still sorting through the aftershocks.

The discussion covers everything from Sunday shifts at tiny post offices to defining job roles with precision, all in service of helping employers make sense of a landscape that’s still very much in flux. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance sincerely held beliefs with business needs – and do it without losing sleep – this episode is for you.

https://www.littler.com/news-analysis/podcast/littler-lounge-redefining-reasonable-religion-and-workplace

207 - Littler Lounge: Redefining “Reasonable” – Religion and the Workplace

What do fantasy football, March Madness brackets, and workplace raffles have in common? They might all be gambling – and they might be happening on your company’s time and devices. Steve Silver, Littler shareholder and chair of the Maine Gambling Control Board, joins hosts Claire Deason and Nicole LeFave to explore how gaming law is showing up in the workplace in unexpected ways. From mobile betting to prediction markets, the legal implications are evolving fast.

Steve shares practical strategies for navigating this new terrain, from crafting clear policies to understanding how gambling intersects with ADA protections, wage and hour rules, and workplace culture. Whether you’re designing incentives or hosting a poker night, this episode offers fresh insights to help employers stay thoughtful, compliant, and inclusive – without losing the fun.

https://www.littler.com/news-analysis/podcast/littler-lounge-sports-brackets-benchmarks-navigating-legal-side-workplace


208 - Littler Lounge: From Sports Brackets to Benchmarks – Navigating the Legal Side of Workplace Contests and Incentives

Think your digital trail is just background noise? Think again. In this episode, discover how data – from social media to id badge swipes – can alter the trajectory of a workplace lawsuit. Hosts Claire Deason and Nicole LeFave team up with eDiscovery attorney Don Myers to unpack the tech, tactics and real-world stories behind modern litigation. From off-the-clock collective claims to individual plaintiff suits, you’ll get an inside look at how timestamps and digital footprints are changing the game.  

https://www.littler.com/news-analysis/podcast/littler-lounge-data-doesnt-lie-following-digital-footprints-workplace

209 - Littler Lounge: Data Doesn’t Lie – Following the Digital Footprints in Workplace Lawsuits

What happens when Washington hangs up the “Be Right Back” sign? In this episode, Claire Deason and Nicole LeFave welcome Jim Paretti, co-chair of Littler’s Workplace Policy Institute, to break down how a federal government shutdown has ripple effects on the workplace. From potential visa limbo and agency slowdowns to contractor curveballs and compliance headaches, Jim unpacks what’s really at stake – and what employers should keep on their radar. Whether it’s navigating wage and hour investigations, clearing your calendar of federal court hearings, or keeping teams steady amid the chaos, this episode explores what’s put on ice, what keeps chugging along, and how employers can keep moving forward when the government hits pause.
  
https://www.littler.com/news-analysis/podcast/littler-lounge-ooto-government-edition-what-shutdown-means-workplace

210 - Littler Lounge:  OOTO – Government Edition (What a Shutdown Means for the Workplace)

Ready for a seasonal tradition that’s more thrilling than pumpkin spice?! It’s incentive compensation plan season! Join Nicole LeFave and Claire Deason as they roll up their sleeves and wade into the wild world of bonuses and commissions. If you’ve ever wondered why lawyers get so worked up about “discretionary” versus “non-discretionary” or if you’ve ever tried to decipher a plan document that reads like a choose-your-own-adventure novel, this episode is for you. Nicole and Claire swap war stories, decode legal jargon, and reveal why getting your incentive plans in writing is the best way to avoid a “pickle” (the legal kind, not the deli kind). 
 
Expect practical tips and a behind-the-scenes look at how HR, sales, and legal can come together and have some fun – at least until someone mentions “overtime math.” Tune in and discover how crossing business silos – with coffee in hand – can turn compliance chaos into a collaborative win.
 
https://www.littler.com/news-analysis/podcast/littler-lounge-commission-possible-decoding-incentive-compensation-management

211 - Littler Lounge: Commission Possible – Decoding Incentive Compensation for Management

Pro Bono Committee Members Brandon Mita and Steve Biddle speak with Associates Sarah Boxer and Lillian Manning about their experiences tackling the justice gap – the difference between the civil legal needs of low-income Americans and the resources available to meet those needs. Sarah and Lillian share how they partner with local legal aid organizations to provide vital services, from helping unaccompanied minors and survivors of domestic violence to supporting small businesses and nonprofits. The conversation offers practical advice for attorneys looking to get involved.

As part of the annual National Celebration of Pro Bono hosted by the American Bar Association, Littler is proud to highlight the outstanding pro bono efforts of our attorneys and professional staff. Through dedicated service to organizations in their communities, our firm continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to making a meaningful difference. 
 
https://www.littler.com/news-analysis/podcast/pro-bono-week-podcast-bridging-justice-gap

212 - Pro Bono Week Podcast – Bridging the Justice Gap

Associate Kim Rivera joins Pro Bono Committee Member Dave Haase to share the story of a high-stakes pro bono case involving an international custody dispute under the Hague Convention. After an initial loss at trial, Kim’s advocacy led to a successful appeal, allowing her client’s children to remain safely in the U.S. The episode highlights the impact of pro bono work and the importance of legal representation for those in need.

As part of the annual National Celebration of Pro Bono hosted by the American Bar Association, Littler is proud to highlight the outstanding pro bono efforts of our attorneys and professional staff. Through dedicated service to organizations in their communities, our firm continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to making a meaningful difference.
 
https://www.littler.com/news-analysis/podcast/pro-bono-week-podcast-advocacy-across-borders-hague-convention-success-story

213 - Pro Bono Week Podcast – Advocacy Across Borders: A Hague Convention Success Story

In this episode, Pro Bono Committee Member Lavanga Wijekoon speaks with fellow Pro Bono Committee Member Dave Haase, Paralegal Bahar Azari, and Attorney Practice Coordinator Una Pavlovic about their experience partnering with the National Immigrant Justice Center to host a pro bono clinic for migrant families seeking asylum in the U.S. The team shares stories of working with individuals from around the world, the challenges of preparing asylum applications, and the personal impact of helping those fleeing persecution and hardship. Their reflections highlight the importance of teamwork and the deep connections formed through pro bono service.

As part of the annual National Celebration of Pro Bono hosted by the American Bar Association, Littler is proud to highlight the outstanding pro bono efforts of our attorneys and professional staff. Through dedicated service to organizations in their communities, our firm continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to making a meaningful difference. 
 
https://www.littler.com/news-analysis/podcast/pro-bono-week-podcast-helping-migrant-families-littlers-attorneys-and-staff

214 - Pro Bono Week Podcast – Helping Migrant Families: Littler’s Attorneys and Staff at the NIJC Asylum Clinic

Open enrollment: the time of year when HR professionals load up on caffeine and employees wonder if “PPO” is a new streaming service. In this episode, hosts Claire Deason and Nicole LeFave invite benefits attorney Anne Sanchez to help decode health plans, compliance, and the latest shiny objects in workplace benefits. From the great PPO vs. high-deductible debate to the lively world of wage deductions (spoiler: it’s not just about your lunch money), Anne shares practical advice, emphasizes the importance of communication, and helps set the stage for a smoother paperwork season.
  
Curious about what’s trending in benefits this year, like GLP-1 programs or new approaches to fertility? Ready to brush up on clear communication and compliance tips? Pull up a chair and join the conversation – your benefits questions are welcome, and fresh perspectives are guaranteed.  
  
https://www.littler.com/news-analysis/podcast/littler-lounge-ppos-perks-understanding-employee-benefits-landscape

215 - Littler Lounge: From PPOs to Perks – Understanding the Employee Benefits Landscape

Conversations about employment and labor law issues that impact the workplace. The purpose of Littler's podcasts is to provide helpful information for employers, addressing the latest developments in labor and employment relations. They are not a substitute for experienced legal counsel and do not provide legal advice or attempt to address the numerous factual issues that arise in any employment-related issue.

211 - Littler Lounge: Commission Possible – Decoding Incentive Compensation for Management

Littler Labor & Employment Podcast

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