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In Episode 359 we welcome Beltway insider Jim Plunkett for a practical breakdown of how recent disruptions are shaping the year ahead for employers.

The conversation explores where employment policy is really being made, why federal agencies may have more influence than Congress, and how shifts at the Department of Labor, NLRB, and EEOC could impact employers in 2026. The panel also takes a look at AI hiring risks, emerging discrimination lawsuits, a rare 27-pay-period year, and the growing divide between state and federal workplace rules.

This episode is essential viewing for HR leaders and business executives who want to understand what is changing, why it matters, and how to prepare before the next wave hits.

Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome & what Congress did (and didn’t) do for employers 01:31 – Opening banter & why keeping up with policy feels like tennis 03:38 – Lawyer on the Clock: AI hiring tools & Fair Credit Reporting Act risks 07:32 – Uber & Lyft gender-matching lawsuits: damned if you do, damned if you don’t 10:27 – 2026 warning: Why some employers may face 27 pay periods 13:52 – Why 2025 felt so disruptive for employers 17:38 – When agencies drive employment policy, not Congress 19:03 – Independent contractor rules & OSHA heat regulations 23:15 – State vs. federal divide on AI and workplace laws 26:12 – What’s coming from the NLRB, EEOC & DOL in 2026

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Delegation isn’t just about giving work away - it’s how future leaders are developed. With 40% of executives saying leadership development is a serious long-term challenge, we’re asking the BIG question: are leaders actually delegating enough and to the right places?

Join us with Lauren Patel (AAIM) as we explore delegation in workplaces where leaders must learn to delegate effectively to both humans and AI.

Timestamps: 00:09 – Leadership Development as a 2026 Business Challenge 01:32 – Guest Introduction: Lauren Patel 02:49 – Lawyer on the Clock Begins 03:25 – AI in Hiring and Employment Law Overview 07:45 – EEOC Power Shift and Policy Direction 14:12 – Lawyer on the Clock Wrap-Up 15:35 – Why Leaders Struggle to Develop Future Leaders 18:11 – The Real Barriers to Delegation 29:52 – Delegate Decisions, Not Just Tasks

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Toxic flattery may sound “nice,” but it’s costing organizations time, talent, and truth. When leaders and tools are rewarded for agreeability instead of honesty, tough questions go unasked, bad decisions stick, and teams stop learning.

Join us with special guest Kris Gfell (HR Services, AAIM) as we unpack the epidemic of toxic flattery - and how HR can lead a culture that values candor over comfort.

Timestamps:

00:00 — Why 30% of Employees Don’t Feel Safe Speaking Up 01:28 — Welcome Back and Six Years of This Week at Work 03:13 — Introducing Toxic Flattery in the Workplace 03:58 — Lawyer on the Clock: Major Labor and Employment Updates 05:16 — Marijuana Rescheduling and What It Means for Employers 08:12 — DEI Programs Under Legal Scrutiny 10:30 — State Law Changes Employers Must Know in 2026 14:49 — Illinois Employment Law Updates That Impact HR 19:17 — What “AITA” Culture Reveals About Validation and Feedback 29:57 — How Leaders Create Alignment Without Toxic Flattery