“HR Heretics” | How CPOs, CHROs, Founders, and Boards Build High Performing Companies

HR's Legal Blindside: The Litigation Wave

Nov 14, 2024

In this engaging discussion, Melanie Naranjo, Chief People Officer at Ethena, brings her expertise to the forefront as she addresses the rising tide of employee litigation. She highlights the challenges HR faces amidst growing concerns around discrimination and retaliation, driven by social media and changing workplace values. Melanie shares strategies for fostering open dialogue and setting clear expectations during recruitment. The conversation emphasizes balancing employee rights with the need for effective HR practices to navigate the evolving landscape of workplace dynamics.

28:33

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Episode guests

Melanie Naranjo

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The rise in employee litigation is fueled by misinformation and the intentional misuse of legal terminology, impacting HR's resource management.

Proactive communication, transparent expectations, and empathetic manager training are vital for reducing misunderstandings and fostering a positive workplace culture.

Deep dives

Increasing Employee Litigation Trends

A notable trend in employee litigation has emerged, where more employees are filing lawsuits against their employers. This increase can be attributed to a mix of intentional misuse of legal terms and a significant amount of misinformation circulating in popular media and social networks. HR professionals are increasingly facing claims of discrimination or retaliation even after giving difficult feedback or managing performance. The situation not only wastes valuable resources for companies but also creates an environment of fear and stress within HR, as they scramble to address these claims.

Intro

4min

Navigating Workplace Litigation

12min

Navigating Employee Engagement and Litigation Risks

3min

Setting Clear Expectations in Recruitment

3min

Setting Workplace Expectations

7min

Melanie Naranjo, Chief People Officer at Ethena, joins Kelli and Nolan to tackle the surge in employee litigation facing modern companies.

In an era where employees are increasingly using legal terms like 'discrimination' and 'retaliation,' how can companies balance protecting themselves from frivolous lawsuits while ensuring legitimate grievances are properly addressed?

Explore how social media, changing workplace expectations, and generational shifts are fueling this trend, while offering practical insights on navigating these challenges. The conversation balances protecting employee rights with managing unfounded claims, providing valuable perspectives for HR professionals and business leaders trying to build fair, transparent workplaces.

*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: hrheretics@turpentine.co

For coaching and advising inquire at https://kellidragovich.com/

HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.

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KEEP UP WITH MELANIE, NOLAN, + KELLI ON LINKEDIN

Melanie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-naranjo/

Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/

Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(00:10) Rising Employee Litigation

(03:25) Traditional & Contrarian Responses

(06:10) Deeper Issues & Lack of Transparency

(07:30) Subjectivity & Company Liability

(09:30) Litigation as a Trend & Setting Expectations

(11:40) Employee Perspective & Open Dialogue

(15:40) Company Burden & Employee Expectations

(15:43) Sponsor: Metaview

(18:10) Clear Expectations & Self-Selection

(21:40) Internal Training & Consistency

(23:20) Value of Community & Legal Counsel

(26:10) Key Takeaways & The Bambi Golden Rule

(28:08) Wrap

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

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