Episodes

Today's guest is Connie Chen, principal in the Los Angeles, California, offices of Jackson Lewis P.C. Teresa McQueen talks with Connie about new sick leave laws since COVID-19. Teresa and Connie discuss the claims that employers are seeing and new COVID sick leave provisions. Connie also answers some of our viewer questions! Episode Timeline 00:06Introduction and Disclaimer 01:30COVID-19 Sick Leave Provisions 17:02Break and Public Service Announcement 17:56COVID-19 Q&A 28:59Teresa’s Closing Rema...

Today's guest is Steve Friedman, author of In Search of Courage: An Introvert’s Struggle with Addictive Behaviors. Teresa McQueen talks with Steve about introverts in the workplace. Steve discusses challenges and triumphs for introverts as it relates to the workplace. Steve also talks to us about how introverts can create a successful career path. Episode Timeline 00:06Introduction and Disclaimer 01:16What is an Introvert? 14:05Break and Public Service Announcement 15:01How an Introvert Can Be S...

Today's guest is Thalma Lobel, an internationally recognized psychologist and expert on human behavior. Teresa McQueen talks with Thalma about creating a happier office. Thalma is the author of Whatever Works: The Small Cues That Make a Surprising Difference in Our Success at Work—and How to Create a Happier Office. Teresa and Thalma discuss how companies are tackling the issue of mental health in the workplace; Thalma talks about the perspectives of both sides and how to create a more open envi...

Teresa McQueen talks about Zoom Etiquette. COVID-19 has forced many employees to work from home, how they stay connected is Zoom. Teresa gives her tips on Zoom Etiquette for both employers and employees. Use the video option when possibleDon’t wear your pajamasStage your video areaLighting is also very important and typically, more light is betterTry to look into the cameraDo your own tech support before you startStay on mute if you’re not talkingDon’t eat during the meetingDon’t do other privat...

Today's guest is Tia Dwyer, Chief Operating Officer at THINK Together. Teresa McQueen talks with Tia dealing COVID-19 issues in the non-profit and educational world. Tia discusses with Teresa the initial challenges that THINK Together is facing and what companies can anticipate during the first ‘work from home’ week. Teresa and Tia give suggestions on how people can stay connected during the pandemic. Episode Timeline 00:06Introduction and Disclaimer 01:58COVID Challenges in Schools 14:57Break a...

Today's guest is Katie Womersley, VP of Engineering at Buffer. Teresa McQueen talks with Katie about working remotely. Katie gives her myths and pitfalls of remote work and how you can create a team atmosphere and not be in the same room as your co-workers. Teresa and Katie discuss Buffer’s efforts in tackling mental health in the workplace, especially in the time of a pandemic. Katie gives our audience her tops for maintaining moral, preventing burnout and how to work better, while working remo...

Today's guest is Ben Eubanks, principal analyst and Chief Research Officer at Lighthouse Research. Teresa McQueen talks with Ben about Artificial Intelligence in Human Resources. Teresa and Ben discuss how Artificial Intelligence and Human Resources are integrating, what area Human Resources are using Artificial Intelligence now and what are the benefits and challenges. Ben gives his tips for those who are looking to integrate Artificial Intelligence into their Human Resource programs Episode Ti...

Today's guest is Michael Sorell, Research Fellow at IMD Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland. Teresa McQueen talks with Michael about Reverse Mentoring. Teresa and Michael discuss what reserve mentoring is and where the idea originated. Michael gives his tips for challenges organizations and individuals face when introducing a reverse mentoring program and how they can get the program started. Workplace Perspective is a regular podcast series for employers and employees focusing on education...

Today's guest is Andrew Friedman, a name partner with the law firm of Helmer Friedman LLP. Teresa McQueen talks with Andrew about the Civility and Gender Bias in the Practice of Law. Teresa and Andrew discuss the incivility in law and where he believes it is coming from. Andrew talks about what he thinks we can do to correct these issues and gives examples that he has encountered. Workplace Perspective is a regular podcast series for employers and employees focusing on education, training, and t...

Today's guest is Mekala Krishnan, Senior Fellow at McKinsey Global Institute. Teresa McQueen talks with Mekala about Gender Equality in the Workplace. Teresa and Mekala discuss 'The Future of Women at Work: Transitions in the Age of Automation' report by Mckinsey & Company. The report talks about significant challenges women face in the workplace and the possible threat of automation. Mekala talks about transitional opportunities and what women can do to get ahead of the curve. Read the report h...

Today's episode is Part two of our Special COVID-19 show featuring Greg Dill, Vice President of Commercial Real Estate, and SBA Lending at Union Bank in Irvine CA. SAFFIRE LEGAL PC’s founder and principal attorney Teresa McQueen continues her conversation with Greg about the newly enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) focusing on the Small Business Debt Relief Program. Greg continues to provide great insight and timely insights into these SBA assistance programs. ...

Today's episode is a continuation of our FAQ episode with attorney Neil Pedersen, Founder and Principal Attorney at Pedersen Law. Teresa McQueen and Neil continue responding to important COVID-19 related questions such as, "Do I have to return to work if I'm still afraid of being exposed to COVID-19?" and "Can my boss require me to wear a mask when I return to work?" Designated as a world-wide pandemic in early March, the effects of COVID-19 are touching all of our lives with far reaching implic...

Teresa McQueen talks with Kevin about the Dynamex Operations West, Inc. v. Superior Court of Los Angeles County, case decided April 30, 2018. A litigation partner at Glancy, Prongay & Murryay, Kevin has the distinction of arguing the Dynamex case before the California Supreme Court. During this episode Kevin offers insight into this seminal case and his thoughts on California's AB5 legislation which marks the codification of Dynamex's controversial ABC test for Independent Contractors. Episode T...

Today's guest is attorney Neil Pedersen, Founder and Principal Attorney at Pedersen Law. SAFFIRE LEGAL PC’s founder and principal attorney Teresa McQueen and Neil provide responses to some FAQs regarding COVID-19 and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act's (FFCRA) Emergency Family Medical Leave Response and Emergency Paid Sick Leave Acts. Neil also shares his thoughts and experiences as a small business owner in transitioning his 'brick and morter' law practice to a functioning remote work...

Today's guest is Greg Dill, Vice President of Commercial Real Estate, and SBA Lending at Union Bank in Irvine CA. SAFFIRE LEGAL PC’s founder and principal attorney Teresa McQueen talks with Greg about the newly enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) which provides numerous resources for small businesses including: the Paycheck Protection Program, Emergency Economic Injury Grant and the Small Business Debt Relief Program. In this first of a two-part program, Greg gi...

Today's guest is Rita Marie Johnson. Teresa McQueen talks with Rita about the conflict resolution in the workplace. Episode Timeline 00:06Introduction and Disclaimer 01:45Conflict Resolving Techniques 11:40Break and Public Service Announcement 12:35Tips for Conflict Resolution 19:13Teresa’s Closing Remarks Thank you to Rita Marie Johnson. You can find more about her here.

Today's guest is Treena Meyers, Director of Human Resources and Training at the Fleet Science Center of San Diego . SAFFIRE LEGAL PC’s founder and principal attorney Teresa McQueen talks with Treena about her experiences - professionally and personally - in dealing with the impacts of COVID-19. Designated as a world-wide pandemic in early March, the effects of COVID-19 are touching all of our lives with far reaching implications as the edges of our personal and professional lives begin to blend ...

Today's guest is Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA . SAFFIRE LEGAL PC’s founder and principal attorney Teresa McQueen talks with Rob about his thoughts on the true cost of providing paid Paternity leave. Rob will discuss his perspective - based on the findings of a Danish research project - on how businesses can actually increase retention and recruitment through paid paternity related leave. This show also offers a brief comment on the emerging COVID-19 pandemic as it continues to spread ac...

Today's guest is Col. Carla Bass. Teresa McQueen talks with Carla about her book Write to Influence!, why every boss needs a staff that can write effectively and how to banish bureaucratic blather - We love that! Carla also shares with our listeners some very practical tips for improving your writing skills. Episode Timeline 00:06Introduction and Disclaimer 01:29Importance of Workplace Writing Skills 13:29Break and Public Service Announcement 14:20Bureaucratic Blather 24:48Teresa’s Closing Remar...

Today's guest is Life Coach Julie McCoy. Teresa McQueen talks with Julie about how to silence our inner Saboteur - that little voice in our head that touts self-doubt and fear. Listen in as Julie provides some valuable insight into how to evict (or at least muzzle) that inner critic and reach your full potential in the year to come! Episode Timeline 00:06Introduction and Disclaimer 01:30Saboteur – Who/What is it? 14:34Break and Public Service Announcement 15:51How to Silence the Saboteur 26:13Te...

Today’s Hot Topic focuses on some of the new legislative changes set to take effect in California on January 1, 2020. Teresa McQueen talks about the new laws impacting mandatory arbitration agreements, the codification of the Dynamex ABC test, and what policies you’ll need to have in your organization’s employee handbook as of January 1st “Enacted to quote, “codify the decision in the Dynamex case and clarify its application,” AB 5 does nothing more than muddy the waters and once again add confu...

Today we’re in full holiday mode with our annual Holiday Survival Guide. The holiday mix & mingle season is in full swing which can mean added stress for those who dread the inevitable holiday business social scene. Fear not! Workplace Perspective is here to help you sail through your holiday events with confidence and style! SAFFIRE LEGAL PC’s founder and principal attorney Teresa McQueen talks today about the importance of sending an RSVP, how to engage in small talk, and ways to preserve that...

Today’s special guest is Shawn Burcham, Founder & CEO of Pro Food Systems, Inc. and the author of the Amazon Bestselling book Keeping Score with GRITT: Straight Talk Strategies for Success. SAFFIRE LEGAL PC’s founder and principal attorney Teresa McQueen talks with Shawn about the challenges in creating & operating a 100% employee owned business. This is an exciting episode with a dynamic entrepreneur who believes empowering employees to think and act like owners is a recipe for success. "The ma...

Today’s special guest is Dr. Steven Mintz, author, speaker and "Ethics Sage." SAFFIRE LEGAL PC’s founder and principal attorney Teresa McQueen talks with Dr. Mintz about the impact of ethics in the workplace and focusing on creating a more productive and civil working environment. A wonderful episode that highlights the practical steps employees and employers can take to create a more ethics-minded workplace. "If you want to make a difference, master their way before you s"You have to be pro-act...