Before the champagne pops and the Slack notifications finally stop, it’s worth pausing to reflect on what actually defined the workplace this year.
Not the initiatives.
Not the slogans.
The refrains.
Some of these are healthy habits. Others are the phrases that tend to show up right before problems do.
Here’s what kept ending up on repeat in 2025. Continue reading
A Helpful Guide for People About to Hit “Send” Anyway
Despite decades of evidence, some professionals continue to believe Christmas Eve is an appropriate time to introduce new thoughts into the workplace. It is not.
For those who remain uncertain, what follows is a non-exhaustive list of email subject lines that function as a legally binding confession: I should not be sending this today. Continue reading
If you’ve ever wondered why the same few employees keep you up at night, Todd Stanton has a theory—and it’s both painfully accurate and refreshingly practical. Continue reading
“Heads I win, tails you lose.”
That’s how the Sixth Circuit described one hospital’s strategy after it tried to switch to arbitration only after losing some key early motions in court. The judges didn’t flip for it. Continue reading
If you’ve ever wondered why the same few employees keep you up at night, Todd Stanton has the answer — and it might just change the way you manage your workplace. Continue reading
A software engineer said he was fired for blowing the whistle on a major cybersecurity flaw. But before his case ever reached trial, it fell apart. Deleted text messages, an incomplete phone data dump, and his lawyer’s discovery missteps ended it all. The court dismissed the case and ordered the employee and his attorney to pay more than $150,000 in sanctions. Continue reading
Where have I been? I took a short break from July 4 through July 14 to spend some time offline on vacation with my family. Thanks for your patience—and I promise this one was worth the wait.
The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) became law on July 4—and with it, major new tax and reporting obligations for employers. From payroll compliance to fringe benefit design, much of what’s in this law affects HR, legal, and finance teams directly.
To help employers get ahead of the coming changes, we’re hosting a live Zoom panel discussion (with time for audience Q&A) featuring three top minds in tax and benefits law.
🗓️ Thursday, July 24, 2025 at Noon ET
📍 Zoom: Register here
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On Monday, June 2, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced the relaunch and expansion of its opinion letter program. This move reinstates a valuable compliance tool for employers, particularly those navigating complex wage-and-hour for Family and Medical Leave Act regulations. Continue reading
A recent Fifth Circuit decision offers a pointed reminder to employers, litigators, and trial courts alike: enforcement authority has limits—even after a verdict. At the center of the controversy? A court-ordered “religious liberty training” imposed on a corporate defendant’s attorneys by a judge dissatisfied with how the company communicated a jury’s verdict. Here’s how that unfolded—and why the appellate court stepped in.
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Working with VIPs can feel like walking a legal tightrope. From influencers to high-profile executives, businesses often face big questions: Are they independent contractors or employees? What must go into their agreements? And how do you protect your intellectual property—and avoid legal headaches?
On May 9 at 12 PM ET, I’ll be teaming up with my colleague, Merlyne Jean-Louis, for a free Zoom session you won’t want to miss: Continue reading
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