In this episode of Hiring to Firing , hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter dive into the challenges of managing employee performance, taking lessons from Mr. Milchick's infamous performance review in the latest season of the TV show Severance. Joined by Tara Favors of Mutual of America Financial Group, this episode provides practical tips for offering constructive feedback, documenting performance deficiencies, and maintaining fairness in the evaluation process. Discover how the fictional wor...
Jun 17, 2025•32 min•Season 4Ep. 12
In this episode of Hiring to Firing, hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter explore the concept of "coffee badging"—a post-pandemic workplace phenomenon where employees badge in, grab a cup of coffee, and then work remotely for the rest of the day. Joined by Donna Griffin from Intelligentsia Coffee, the discussion delves into the implications of return-to-office mandates, generational differences in work preferences, and the evolving dynamics of remote and hybrid work environments. Discover how...
Jun 03, 2025•36 min•Season 4Ep. 11
In this episode of Hiring to Firing , hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter explore eDiscovery processes and procedures with Alison Grounds, founder and managing partner of eMerge. Learn about the importance of eDiscovery in litigation, the shift from paper to digital discovery, and the complexities of managing electronic data. Alison offers practical tips on preserving evidence, leveraging AI, and navigating the challenges of use of personal devices for business purposes. Tune in to learn abo...
May 13, 2025•36 min•Season 4Ep. 10
In this episode of Hiring to Firing , hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter explore the classic movie 9 to 5 and its critique of workplace inequities. Joined by wage and hour reporter Daniela Porat from Law360 , they share insights on the evolution of wage and hour laws, pay transparency, salary history bans, and the ongoing fight for gender equality in the workplace. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on workplace equality and practical tips to help employers comply and keep up with t...
Apr 29, 2025•34 min•Season 4Ep. 8
In this episode of Hiring to Firing , hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter are joined by their Troutman Pepper Locke partners, Austin Padgett and Rusty Close, who host the No Infringement Intended podcast. Together, they explore the intersection of intellectual property (IP) and employment law through the lens of the movie The Social Network . They discuss works made for hire, the impact of the Defend Trade Secrets Act, and the challenges employers of all sizes face in protecting their innova...
Apr 08, 2025•38 min•Season 4Ep. 7
AI is unavoidable these days. In this episode of Hiring to Firing , hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter delve into what employers need to know about it, joined by their Troutman Pepper Locke partner, Brett Mason, who hosts The Good Bot podcast focusing on the intersection of AI, health care, and the law. They discuss the transformative potential and inherent risks of AI in the workplace, along with some lessons from the movie I, Robot , including how employers (and their employees) are using...
Mar 25, 2025•35 min•Season 4Ep. 6
In this episode of Hiring to Firing , hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter dive into the intriguing intersection of reality TV and employment law. Joined by Troutman Pepper Locke Labor and Employment Partner Richard Reibstein (author of the popular Independent Contractor Misclassification & Compliance blog), they explore the lawsuit alleging that contestants on the hit Netflix reality series Love Is Blind have been misclassified as independent contractors instead of employees — and the re...
Mar 11, 2025•29 min•Season 4Ep. 5
It seems that even celebrities are not immune from workplace claims. In this episode of Hiring to Firing , hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter are joined by their Troutman Pepper Locke employment law partner, Sara Longtain, to discuss the movie It Ends With Us and the real-life lawsuits sparked by it. Tune in as the trio discusses alleged conduct that occurred on set and in the marketing of the film, resulting in lawsuits filed by Blake Lively for sexual harassment and Justin Baldoni for def...
Feb 25, 2025•33 min•Season 4Ep. 4
In this episode of Hiring to Firing , hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter explore the dynamics of teamwork, using the beloved characters Sully and Mike Wazowski from Monsters, Inc. as prime examples. Joined by Emily Golden, founder and CEO of Golden Resources, they delve into the characteristics of effective teams, including the importance of clear communication, shared goals, and emotional intelligence. They also discuss strategies to foster effective teamwork among employees. Tune in for a...
Feb 11, 2025•28 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Workplace diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs face more scrutiny than ever after President Trump's recent Executive Order targeting DEI policies and programs across the federal government, in private industries that do business with the federal government, and in the private sector generally. In this episode of Hiring to Firing, hosts Emily Schifter and Tracey Diamond discuss the evolving DEI landscape. Joined by their colleague Nicole Edmonds, DEI Committee Chair at Troutman Pepper L...
Jan 28, 2025•36 min•Season 4Ep. 2
In this episode of Hiring to Firing, hosts Emily Schifter and Tracey Diamond explore the art of giving and receiving feedback in the workplace. Joined by Tara Weintritt from the Wicker Park Group, they discuss the importance of creating a culture of feedback, best practices in giving and receiving feedback, and the value of specificity and data in measuring and evaluating performance. Listen as Harry Potter favorites Professor Severus Snape, Professor Albus Dumbledore, and Hermione Granger help ...
Jan 14, 2025•31 min•Season 4Ep. 1
'Tis the season for workplace holiday celebrations! In this festive episode of Hiring to Firing podcast, hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter are joined by guest Brett Schwab, corporate counsel at D&H Distributing, to delve into the intricacies of office festivities and celebrations. From unforgettable office party tales to crucial legal compliance issues and best practices, this episode has it all. Tune in for practical tips and entertaining anecdotes inspired by Office Christmas Party a...
Dec 17, 2024•28 min•Season 3Ep. 21
In this episode of Hiring to Firing , hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter delve into the critical topic of succession planning, drawing parallels with the popular TV show Succession. Joined by Jan Levine, an experienced attorney and executive coach, they discuss the importance of succession planning and its role in ensuring business continuity and leadership growth and development. The conversation covers managing transitions and practical steps for effective implementation of a succession p...
Dec 03, 2024•29 min•Season 3Ep. 20
In this episode of Hiring to Firing , Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter explore the challenges and benefits of managing a multigenerational workforce, inspired by the movie The Intern. Joined by Naomi Barnett and Elizabeth Stephens from REPAY, they discuss the importance of avoiding stereotypes and fostering a culture of open communication and respect. Listen in for valuable insights and best practices for employers to use in navigating workplaces filled with four generations of workers. Troutma...
Nov 12, 2024•31 min•Season 3Ep. 19
In the final episode of the three-part Hiring to Firing pre-election series, hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter continue to explore the various facets of leadership with Jennifer Dubrow Weiss, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey. Drawing parallels with the iconic TV show The West Wing , the episode explores how leaders can navigate competing pressures, foster collaboration, and inspire their teams. Tune in for an engaging conversation that blends real-world leadership challe...
Oct 29, 2024•37 min•Season 3Ep. 18
In part two of the three-part Hiring to Firing series, host Tracey Diamond and new co-host Emily Schifter dive into the complexities of managing employees’ political beliefs and discourse in the workplace, just in time for the upcoming election. Join Tracey and Emily as they welcome Trisha Earls from The Hawkins Firm to discuss best practices for maintaining a professional environment amidst political fervor. With engaging clips from the iconic TV show Mad Men , the conversation explores the leg...
Oct 15, 2024•28 min•Season 3Ep. 17
As the nation awaits the 2024 presidential election and its outcome, Hiring to Firing podcast introduces a three-part series focusing on key issues top of mind for company executives: inspirational messaging and managing political discourse in the workplace. In this first episode, hosts Tracey Diamond and Evan Gibbs discuss lessons learned from the beloved TV character, Ted Lasso. Joined by Steve Lewis, former chairman of Troutman Pepper, they explore the parallels between good parenting and eff...
Oct 01, 2024•35 min•Season 3Ep. 16
In this episode of the Hiring to Firing Podcast, hosts Tracey Diamond and Evan Gibbs dive into international waters with Annalisa Reale, a Labor and Employment partner of the Chiomenti Law Firm in Milan, Italy. Inspired by season two of the popular TV show, White Lotus, set in Taormina, Sicily, Annalisa shares insights from representing Italy's luxury fashion and hospitality clients in employment issues. Listen in as the group examines the differences between Italian and U.S. employment laws, to...
Sep 17, 2024•34 min•Season 3Ep. 15
In this episode of the Hiring to Firing Podcast, hosts Tracey Diamond and Evan Gibbs are joined by Troutman Pepper's Chief Human Resources Officer Shana Beldick to discuss the appropriate use of emojis in professional settings. In an era where digital communication has become a fundamental part of daily life, the three explore the use of emojis to promote efficiencies at work, the risks of miscommunication, and the generational divide as to whether emoji usage is considered a professional form o...
Aug 06, 2024•23 min•Season 3Ep. 14
In this episode of the Hiring to Firing Podcast, hosts Tracey Diamond and Evan Gibbs chat with guest Stacey Chazin, founder and principal of I-Factor Leadership, about motivating introverts in the workplace. Featuring clips from some of their favorite TV and movie introverts — Peter Parker in Spider-Man, Milton in Office Space, and Sheldon in Big Bang Theory — the episode features an insightful discussion on what makes introverts tick, how they can succeed in an extroverted work environment, and...
Jul 23, 2024•34 min•Season 3Ep. 13
In this episode of the Hiring to Firing Podcast, hosts Tracey Diamond and Evan Gibbs are joined by Josh Riggs, owner of Social Cannabis, based in Denver, CO. They delve into the complexities of managing employee conduct in the highly regulated cannabis industry and reflect on the evolution of the industry, highlighting its unexpected sophistication and the challenges of compliance with various laws. Tune in for a unique discussion featuring clips from Dave Chappelle's Half Baked. Troutman Pepper...
Jul 10, 2024•27 min•Season 3Ep. 11
In this episode of Hiring to Firing, hosts Tracey Diamond and Evan Gibbs delve into the complexities of employing foreign workers with special guest Robert Lee, partner at Troutman Pepper who leads the firm's immigration practice. Listen as they discuss various work visas and legal compliance issues involving business immigration. The episode also explores the real-life implications of visa denials and the process of marriage-based citizenship, featuring clips from the popular film, The Proposal...
Jun 18, 2024•31 min•Season 3Ep. 10
In this episode of the Hiring to Firing Podcast , hosts Tracey Diamond and Evan Gibbs are joined by Terri Gillespie, general counsel at Stateside Brands, a family-run business. The three draw parallels from the popular TV series, Modern Family, and share their own personal experiences working with family members. Join us for an engaging conversation, offering practical advice on how to navigate the unique challenges of working with family while making the most of its benefits. Troutman Pepper's ...
Jun 04, 2024•28 min•Season 3Ep. 9
In this episode of the Hiring to Firing Podcast , hosts Tracey Diamond and Evan Gibbs, along with Erin Cannon, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at Troutman Pepper, draw parallels between the popular reality TV show Big Brother to discuss the future of corporate DEI programs after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard . They discuss the benefits of affinity groups, the importance of allyship, and the significance of focusing on inclusion an...
May 14, 2024•35 min•Season 3Ep. 8
In this episode of the Hiring to Firing Podcast, Partners Tracey Diamond and Evan Gibbs, along with Dan Sieck, a partner in the firm's Corporate practice group, discuss the hit TV show Silicon Valley and the concept of garden leave. What are the pros and cons of having employees sit on the bench? What is the difference between garden leave and noncompete agreements? Tune in for an engaging dialogue on this unique aspect of employment transition.
Apr 16, 2024•33 min•Season 3Ep. 7
In this episode of the Hiring to Firing Podcast, Partners Tracey Diamond and Evan Gibbs navigate the evolving landscape of employee sick days in a post-COVID-19 workplace. Special guest Lisa Whittaker, director and managing counsel, employment and labor law at The J.M. Smucker Co., joins them for a humorous discussion of the use and abuse of employee sick days, using clips from the popular TV show, Parks and Recreation . Tune in for an insightful discussion! The Troutman Pepper Labor + Employmen...
Mar 26, 2024•28 min•Season 3Ep. 6
In this episode of the Hiring to Firing Podcast, Partners Tracey Diamond and Evan Gibbs draw insights from the TV series NCIS to discuss effective workplace harassment training. Our hosts are joined by Victoria Pasquale, chief human resources officer at Pritchard Industries, who shares her expertise on structuring effective trainings for her employees. Listen as the group explores how to capture their audience's attention and drive home important messages in an engaging way.
Mar 12, 2024•31 min•Season 3Ep. 5
In this episode of the Hiring to Firing Podcast , Partners Tracey Diamond and Evan Gibbs, along with fellow Partners Sheri Adler and Mary Weeks, chat about the ultimate whistleblower — police officer Frank Serpico — and the SEC's recent crackdown on whistleblower provisions in employment and separation agreements. Listen in as the group shares a top 10 list of drafting tips to ensure compliance. The Troutman Pepper Labor + Employment Practice Group regularly issues advisories, offering timely in...
Feb 20, 2024•26 min•Season 3Ep. 4
In this episode of the Hiring to Firing Podcast , Partners Tracey Diamond and Evan Gibbs welcome Katie Stark, senior director, commercial counsel for Collegium Pharmaceutical. The team delves into the topic of dress codes, drawing inspiration from the movie Erin Brockovich, and explores the intersection of personal style and professional expectations. As a bonus, the trio also share their most embarrassing fashion faux pas! Tune in for a lively and enlightening conversation about navigating the ...
Feb 06, 2024•28 min•Season 3Ep. 3
In this episode of the Hiring to Firing Podcast , Partners Tracey Diamond and Evan Gibbs are joined by Marie Latoff, president and founder of Verita, LLC, a firm specializing in workplace investigations. Drawing parallels from the movie Minority Report, they discuss best practices and pitfalls to avoid when conducting workplace investigations. Tune in for an engaging and informative discussion about navigating the investigation process. The Troutman Pepper Labor + Employment Practice Group regul...
Jan 23, 2024•33 min•Season 3Ep. 2
