Littler Labor & Employment Podcast

In this episode of Littler Lounge, hosts Claire Deason and Nicole LeFave are joined by Littler attorneys Dan Boatright and David Jordan to dive into the wild world of tipping. From airport kiosks and frozen yogurt shops to hibachi grills and PTA apps (yes, really), tipping has gone rogue – and as it shows up in more unexpected places, the legal questions get a little...fuzzy. They explore where tipping is happening, who it’s for, and what employers need to know before flipping that POS screen around. And just when you thought it couldn’t get more interesting, the recently passed “Big Beautiful Bill” enters the chat – bringing with it a shiny new no tax on tips provision. It’s a practical look at how businesses can stay compliant in a world where even robots might be eligible for gratuities someday. Whether you're in hospitality or just curious about that “Would you like to leave a tip?” prompt at self-checkout, this episode offers a grounded take on a fast-changing topic. No gratuity required – but we won’t

Hosts Claire Deason and Nicole LeFave sit down with labor attorneys Brendan Fitzgerald and Arrissa Meyer to explore the evolving labor landscape in 2025. From the surprising breadth of protected concerted activity to the leadership shakeups at the National Labor Relations Board, the conversation covers the legal and cultural forces shaping today’s workplace. They discuss how generational dynamics, post-pandemic expectations, and shifting political winds are influencing employee perspectives – and what that means for employers trying to navigate a regulatory environment marked by uncertainty. They also dig into recent shifts in NLRB leadership and enforcement priorities, and how those changes are complicating employers’ ability to plan with confidence.

Jorge Lopez and Bruce Buchanan unpack the evolving landscape of immigration enforcement, focusing on the rise of workplace “sweeps” by ICE (i.e., U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)). They break down the differences between administrative warrants, judicial search warrants, and "knock and talk" tactics—highlighting information to help employers in planning for their response. The conversation emphasizes the importance of having a proactive plan of action, training frontline staff, and prioritizing workplace safety during enforcement encounters. With real-world insights and practical guidance, this episode equips employers to make informed decisions, discusses ideas to help protect their workforce, and maintain compliance in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. The purpose of this program is to provide helpful information for employers addressing the latest developments in labor and employment relations. It is not a substitute for experienced legal c

The whistle’s blowing – and it’s louder (and more lucrative) than ever. In this episode, hosts Claire Deason and Nicole LeFave are joined by Littler attorney Greg Keating for a high-energy and detailed conversation about the rising tide of whistleblower claims and what it means for employers trying to stay ahead of the curve. From eye-popping bounty awards to new twists with the Trump administration’s focus on inclusion, equity and diversity and immigration enforcement, the conversation dives into the legal and cultural crosscurrents shaping this moment. Greg brings stories from the trenches, a few jaw-dropping examples, and one very important reminder: context matters.

In this episode of Littler Lounge, hosts Claire Deason and Nicole LeFave sit down with Littler attorneys Niloy Ray and Alice Wang to unpack the buzz – and the reality – around artificial intelligence in the workplace. From the algorithms behind popular playlists to the cutting-edge tools reshaping hiring and employee monitoring, the conversation explores how AI is already changing the game. The group dives into the evolving regulatory landscape, comparing how the U.S. and EU are approaching AI oversight, and what that means for employers aiming to stay compliant while keeping pace with innovation. It’s a candid, insightful discussion about the promise, the pitfalls, and the practicalities of integrating AI into workplace strategies.

In this episode of Littler Lounge, Claire and Nicole sit down with Littler attorney Shin-I Lowe for a grounded, yet eye-opening conversation about the realities of immigration enforcement in the workplace. From I-9 audits to the high-pressure uncertainty of ICE raids, the discussion explores how employers can distinguish between different types of enforcement actions – and why that distinction matters. The episode covers the legal nuances of subpoenas versus warrants, the importance of having a clear protocol in place, and how to recognize early warning signs that could trigger government scrutiny. It also dives into the role of E-Verify, the risks of misuse, and how interagency data sharing is shaping enforcement trends under current federal priorities. With practical insights and a few cautionary tales, this conversation underscores the value of preparation over panic – and highlights Littler’s publicly available resources to help employers stay compliant and confident. https://www.littler.com/practice

Welcome to Littler Lounge, the podcast where employment law meets happy hour energy. Pull up a chair, pour yourself something fizzy, and join us as we unwind with the sharpest minds in labor and employment law. This isn’t your typical legal briefing – we’re trading the boardroom for the breakroom to talk shop, share stories, and unpack the issues shaping the workplace today. In each episode, we tap into Littler’s deep bench of thought leaders to explore the legal, cultural, and practical dimensions of work – from IE&D and immigration to AI and labor relations. It’s smart, it’s insightful, and yes, it’s a little irreverent. Because when you bring together brilliant people who trust each other, the real conversations start to flow. Big firm. Big ideas. Zero stuffiness. In this episode, Claire Deason and Nicole LeFave unpack the results of Littler’s 2025 Employer Survey, revealing what’s top of mind for employers in today’s rapidly shifting legal and cultural landscape. From the uncertain future of inclusion,

Littler’s Workplace Policy Institute takes a look back at the major policy and regulatory changes that have impacted employers during the first 100 days of President Trump’s second administration and discusses what to expect moving forward.

Littler’s Workplace Policy Institute examines the current state of employment law legislation in California and the specific laws employers will want to pay attention to now.

Littler attorneys discuss the Faster Labor Contracts Act and how it will potentially amend the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).

Kerry Notestine, Shawn Matthew Clark and Yvette Gatling discuss how actions by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are impacting private employers.

David Goldstein and Kelcy Palmer discuss various developments from the Trump Administration and the impact to federal contractors.

In the final episode of our podcast series “The Fundamentals of Canadian Labor Law,” Littler attorneys Matthew Badrov and Stephen Shore discuss the complexities surrounding the construction industry in Canada and the basics of successorship.c

As part of Littler’s “The First 100 Days” podcast series, Jim Paretti, Alex MacDonald and Bradford Kelley from Littler’s Workplace Policy Institute discuss the major changes to the NLRB and the EEOC.

In the second episode of Littler's new “The First 100 Days” podcast series, Jorge Lopez and Elizabeth Whiting discuss the executive orders affecting immigration policy and compliance enforcement and the impact on companies who employ foreign workers.

In the fifth episode of a six-part podcast series “The Fundamentals of Canadian Labor Law,” Littler attorneys Matthew Badrov and Stephen Shore discuss how strikes and lockouts are handled in Canada and which industries are prohibited from doing so.

This is the first episode of Littler's new “The First 100 Days” podcast series, where Littler attorneys breakdown the significant moves made by President Trump and how those are reshaping the landscape for businesses. In this episode, Jorge Lopez speaks with Sean McCrory about immigration compliance and enforcement, and how employers can be prepared.

Littler attorneys Stephen Shore and Matt Badrov discuss what to expect after a union is certified, how to prepare for and what is typically covered by a collective agreement, what to expect in a typical negotiation, and tips for achieving your goals at the bargaining table.

In the third episode of our six-part podcast series, “The Fundamentals of Canadian Labor Law,” Littler attorneys Stephen Shore and Matt Badrov discuss the genesis of union drives, what employers can do in response, card-check certification, secret-ballot votes and automatic certification.

In the second episode of our six-part podcast series, “The Fundamentals of Canadian Labor Law,” Littler attorneys Stephen Shore and Matt Badrov discuss how to maintain a non-union workforce in Canada, through understanding why employees unionize, how to keep employees engaged, how to counteract union messaging and signs of union activity.