OK at Work
OK at Work, hosted by Offit Kurman attorneys Russell Berger and Sarah Sawyer, is a weekly podcast that discusses current events and legal issues impacting business owners. From updates on the ever-changing employment law landscape to the risks and benefits of integrating AI into your workplace, subscribe to stay up-to-date on issues and events that may impact you and your business.
Labor and Employment
Adapting to Changes in a New Presidential Era
In this week's episode of OK at Work, attorneys Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger from Offit Kurman discuss the legal implications following the recent inauguration. They break down the roles of various branches of government, the impact of executive orders, and what businesses should consider amidst the barrage of headlines. Emphasizing caution over reactionary measures, they advise companies to analyze laws and understand the positions of federal agencies and courts before making decisions. Additionally, they highlight the importance of considering state laws and staying informed about changes in agency priorities.
January 28, 2025
Navigating Customer Terms and Usage
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss strategies for both the terms and usage of customer contracts. Listen to learn more.
January 21, 2025
Navigating Snow Days, Office Closures, and Remote Work Planning
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss both compensation and engagement issues related to snow days and other unexpected office closures, as well as the value of planning ahead for remote work. Listen to learn more.
January 14, 2025
Managing Employee Performance During Investigations and Workplace Complaints
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the challenges associated with and actions that can be taken with respect to managing employee performance during an investigation and following a workplace complaint that may entitle the employee to protection against retaliation. Listen to learn more.
January 7, 2025
Driving Team Buy-In and Managing Risks for 2025 Strategies
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss how implementations of new plans and strategies for 2025 will require thoughtful internal change from management to ensure both team buy-in and effective risk management. Listen to learn more.
January 2, 2025
OK at Work: Understanding Cybersecurity Basics and Policies for Businesses
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the basics of cybersecurity policies for businesses, particularly with respect to text messaging. Listen to learn more.
December 17, 2024
OK at Work: Navigating Holiday Parties for Business Success
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger return to their annual discussion of holiday parties. This year, Sarah and Russell discuss how businesses can benefit from such social gatherings while mitigating risk. Listen to learn more.
December 10, 2024
OK at Work: Preparing Your Business for White House Administration Changes
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the steps that businesses can take to prepare to the uncertainty of a change in administration in the White House. Businesses should be asking: what might change in my industry and how might it impact me? Listen to learn more.
December 3, 2024
OK at Work: Corporate Transparency Act Compliance Reminders for Year-End
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger share reminders about the Corporate Transparency Act and the need for existing entities that are not exempt to get compliant with their disclosures by the end of this year. Listen to learn more.
November 26, 2024
OK at Work: Overtime Rule Reversal on FLSA Salary Thresholds
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss a recent court decision that undoes the recent and future increases to the FLSA's salary basis threshold for maintaining exemptions to overtime pay. Some businesses may have already made changes, but the court ruling returns the salary basis to the amount established in 2019. Listen to learn more.
November 20, 2024
OK at Work: Managing Digital Information
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the challenges of managing information in a digital world, as well as the need to maintain controls over electronically stored information both for operation and litigation purposes. Listen to learn more.
November 18, 2024
OK at Work: Preparing for Executive Transitions
On this week's Ok at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss how to prepare for and document executive transitions. Listen to learn more.
November 5, 2024
OK at Work: Unmasking Business Laws – Tricks, Treats, and Opportunities
On this week's Halloween edition of OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the tricks and treats associated with laws that apply to businesses. While compliance obligations can often be scary and feel like a trick, it is important to remember that law often presents opportunities and chances to grab the advantage. Listen to learn more.
October 29, 2024
OK at Work: Navigating Responsibility in the Age of Rapid Tech Advancements
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the increase of rapidly advancing technologies (food delivery robots!) and how businesses will need to stand behind, and be responsible for, the technology that they use. Listen to learn more.
October 22, 2024
OK at Work: Ensuring Managers Handle Employee Complaints Effectively
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the importance of making sure managers know how to handle complaints from employees and follow the company's prepared reporting structure to ensure proper handling. Listen to learn more.
October 15, 2024
OK at Work: Maryland’s Wage Transparency Law
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the practical realities of new pay transparency laws and how business owners can think strategically about these laws. Listen to learn more.
October 8, 2024
OK at Work: Clear Management Messaging to Boost Engagement and Reduce Legal Risk
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the relevance of clear messaging from management to employees in order to promote engagement and reduce legal risk. Listen to learn more.
October 1, 2024
OK at Work: Protecting Intellectual Property
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the importance of businesses protecting their intellectual property - both online and otherwise. Listen to learn more.
September 24, 2024
OK at Work: Understanding Last Chance Agreements for Non-Union Employers
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger explore the use cases for last chance agreements by employers without organized labor. Listen to learn more.
September 18, 2024
OK at Work: Courts Block FTC Non-Compete Ban
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas' block on the FTC non-compete ban that was to take effect on September 4th and next steps for employers.
September 3, 2024
OK at Work: Asset Purchases vs. Purchases of Stock or Ownership Interest
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger explain the basic conceptual differences between an asset purchase and a purchase of stock or ownership interest, as well as what businesses contemplating a transaction should be asking. Listen to learn more.
August 27, 2024
OK at Work: Is Your Business Compliant with Maryland's New Payroll Law?
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss Maryland's new law requiring the inclusion of certain information on pay stubs and how this should prompt a broader review of technical payroll compliance. Listen to learn more.
August 21, 2024
OK at Work: Business Succession Planning
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the need for business owners to plan for the unexpected, especially when it comes to key management positions. Listen to learn more.
August 6, 2024
OK at Work: Maryland Requires Pay Transparency
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss Maryland's move to join the handful of states that require disclosure of compensation ranges in job postings and how that impacts businesses. Listen to learn more.
July 23, 2024
OK at Work: Court Cases Related to FTC's Non-Compete Ban
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the latest developments in the court battles related to the FTC's non-compete ban, which is set to take effect on September 4, 2024.
July 16, 2024
OK at Work: When Do You Call Your Lawyer?
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the obvious and the not-so-obvious reasons for business owners and in-house counsel to call their lawyers.
July 11, 2024
OK at Work: Minimum Wage Increases
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss changes to local minimum wage standards going into effect on July 1 and beyond. Listen to learn more.
June 25, 2024
OK at Work: Risk Assessment When Terminating an Employee
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the risk assessment calculus that employers should work through when considering the termination of an employee. Listen to learn more.
June 18, 2024
OK at Work: Navigating Business Partnerships
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss some of the considerations that business owners should work through when taking on and working with partners. Listen to learn more.
June 11, 2024
OK at Work: Suing for Damages vs. Seeking Injunctive Relief
On this week's OK at Work, Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger discuss the differences between suing for damages and seeking injunctive relief as well as the strategic considerations behind both. Listen to learn more. ">
June 4, 2024
