Can We Learn Lessons From Those That Oppose Us?

Do you live in a bubble?

That question has taken on new meaning in today’s environment, but it’s something I think about often when it comes to the practice of law. After all, our firm mainly represents employers or business owners or entrepreneurs when it comes to employment law matters.

If there’s a claim against an employer, surely the employer did the right thing when they are reaching out for representation? Right?

Well, not quite. To be sure, the vast majority of employers that I talk to do at least attempt to do the right thing when it comes to their employees. Those that succeed often have a competent HR staff, or simply run a business by the Golden Rule.

But there are outliers.

Some are just ignorant of the plethora of laws that have popped up. Others are willfully ignorant of those same laws too. And some just like skirting the line of what is legal and not.

So, I think it’s important to listen to what others have to say about your clients. Perhaps there a nugget of truth buried in the advocacy.

On that theme, I recently sat down with Nina Pirrotti, a plaintiffs-side employment law attorney with Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Fitzgerald and Pirrotti, for a new podcast episode on exactly that topic. Nina and I discuss what employers should know — from the perspective of an attorney who mainly represents employees.

On the From Lawyer to Employer podcast, we have a frank discussion about where employers often go wrong—and how to do better. From inconsistently enforced policies and botched investigations to poorly trained supervisors and missteps in handling accommodations, we discuss how employers can improve.

Now, just like your discussions with family members during the holidays this week, you may not agree with everything Nina has to say (or everything I have to say either) but I appreciate her perspectives and always find there’s something new that can be learned if we get comfortable outside the bubble that we all sometimes prefer.

Thanks again to Nina for coming outside her bubble to share her insights on this podcast episode.