With very few exceptions, most of us are either employees or employers. Whether we own a small business, work for one, or work for a large company, we fall into the category of employer or employee.

Needless to say, the last year has been challenging on many levels, among those the workplace. The rules have been changing rapidly, often leaving employers and employees guessing what they can and cannot do.

Our guest on this episode is Joanmarie Dowling. Joanmarie is a former big law firm attorney, and is currently the owner of Dowling law, a law firm that advises and represents for-profit and not-for-profit employers of all sizes in a variety of labor and employment matters, including screening and hiring, discrimination and harassment, reasonable accommodations, leave management, unionization and labor relations, wage and hour, and discipline and discharge.

On this episode we try to break down the changing landscape of the workplace during COVID. We talk about leave, unemployment, remote work and, of course, vaccinations, and we discuss both how things are going, and how they might improve.

This was a very interesting conversation for Giovanna and I. Our employment law practice mostly consists of representing employees in litigation after severe harassment or unlawful activity. The conversation with Joan Marie offered a good perspective from the other side – that of the employer, and she offered some good insight and some good suggestions for employees.

Whether you’re a small business owner, management level employer or employee, I think you’ll find this episode very informative.

Just a quick reminder and disclaimer that the conversations on this podcast do not constitute legal advice.

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Please enjoy our interview with Joanmarie Dowling.