In episode 137, Coffey talks with Sarah Glaser about office romances, working while sick, and employee surveillance.

They discuss the post-Covid increase in office romances and appropriate policies to protect the company and workforce; the reasons behind conflicting attitudes about working when ill; and a backlash against employee surveillance.

Links to stuff they talked about are on our website at https://goodmorninghr.com/EP137 and include the following topics:

- Are your employees aware of your workplace romance policies?

- Sick Shaming Rampant in the Workplace Amid COVID-19, Flu Surge

- Flu Season Has an Annoying Side Effect: ‘Sick Shaming’ at Work

- French regulator fines Amazon $35M over its surveillance system of warehouse workers

- Employee surveillance is on the rise — and that could backfire on employers 

- Surveilling Employees Erodes Trust — and Puts Managers in a Bind

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About our Guest:

Sarah Glaser is an employment attorney with Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend, P.C. in Austin.

Sarah helps employers navigate compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws. She works directly with her clients in hiring, leave programs, performance counseling, workplace safety, and the many issues that arise as a result of the termination of an employment relationship.

Sarah advises her clients with the goal of providing efficient, cost-effective representation rooted in an understanding of the business.

Although avoiding litigation is always a goal, Sarah also represents clients in front of federal and state courts and administrative agencies, such as the EEOC.

Sarah was named a Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star in the area of Employment Litigation: Defense for the years 2019 through 2021 and was named a Top Austin Attorney by Austin Monthly Magazine in Labor and Employment in 2020 and 2021.

Sarah Glaser can be reached at (512) 322-5881 or sglaser@lglawfirm.com

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, human resources professional, licensed private investigator, and HR consultant.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations firm helping risk-averse companies make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Today, Imperative serves hundreds of businesses across the US and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence and has twice been named HR Professional of the Year.

Additionally, Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and volunteers with the SHRM Texas State Council.

Mike maintains his certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute. He is also a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Mike lives in Fort Worth with his very patient wife. He practices yoga and maintains a keto diet, about both of which he will gladly tell you way more than you want to know.

Learning Objectives:

1. Analyze the implications of workplace relationships and the policies around them.

2. Assess the impact of sick leave policies on employee well-being and organizational culture.

3. Understand the ethical considerations and potential consequences of employee surveillance in the workplace.