A Podcast Miniseries for Your HR Needs: HR Law 101

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on December 6, 2019

        In case you missed it, here is a recap of our Verrill Voices podcast series, HR Law 101: Understanding the HR Basics, hosted by employment and labor attorney Tawny Alvarez. Each episode is intended to provide startup entrepreneurs and HR newcomers with a strong foundational knowledge of the laws that govern the employer/employee relationship. The ongoing series provides listeners with tips on hiring, onboarding, navigating wage and hour laws, creating effective job descriptions, and understanding federal anti-discrimination laws.

        Tawny and fellow Verrill attorneys also share their thoughts on the firm’s employment and labor law blog, Taking Care of HR Business.

        Access episodes in Verrill Voices HR Law 101 podcast series below and stay tuned for more episodes to come:

        HR Law 101 Ep.1: What You Need to Know When You Need to Hire

        You’ve been tasked with hiring a new employee, but where do you start? In this episode of HR Law 101: Understanding the HR Basics, Verrill employment and labor attorney Tawny Alvarez focuses on the nuances and pitfalls that arise throughout the hiring process, from defining duties and responsibilities to advertising to interviewing to solidifying the offer. (Originally recorded in May 2018)

        HR Law 101 Ep.2: What You Need to Know When You’re Onboarding a New Employee

        In this episode of HR Law 101: Understanding the HR Basics, Verrill employment and labor attorney Tawny Alvarez walks listeners through onboarding best practices, including what paperwork and training are required by law when a new employee is hired, and the steps you should take in orienting your employee to the work environment and your operations. (Originally recorded in May 2018)

        HR Law 101 Ep.3: What You Need to Know About Wage and Hour Laws

        In this episode of HR Law 101: Understanding the HR Basics, Verrill employment and labor attorney Tawny Alvarez focuses on understanding the basics of wage and hour laws – from exempt to non-exempt, salary to hourly, breaks and overtime. (Originally recorded in May 2018)

        HR Law 101 Ep.4: What You Need to Know About Creating Effective Job Descriptions

        Job descriptions are important for ensuring that employers and employees are on the same page as to job duties and expectations, but what should be included? This episode of HR Law 101: Understanding the HR Basics, featuring Verrill employment and labor attorney Tawny Alvarez, will focus on best practices in crafting job descriptions for different duties within your organization. (Originally recorded in May 2018)

        HR Law 101 Ep.5: What Employers Need to Know About Anti-Discrimination Laws

        In this episode of HR Law 101: Understanding the HR Basics, Verrill employment and labor attorney Tawny Alvarez discusses the obligations that employers have under federal law to provide a non-discriminatory environment for employees, including who is covered under the statute and what it protects or prohibits. (Originally recorded in May 2018)

        HR Law 101 Ep.6: Handbooks and What to Include Part 1

        Many business owners and HR professionals look for a concise and straight forward employee handbook. The truth is, there isn’t just one universal handbook to put on a shelf with all you need to know. Listen to this episode of HR Law 101 to hear attorney Tawny Alvarez discuss what to include and be aware of when creating an employee handbook for your unique company. (Originally recorded in January 2019)

        HR Law 101 Ep.7: Handbooks and What to Include Part 2

        Many business owners and HR professionals look for a concise and straight forward employee handbook. The truth is, there isn’t just one universal handbook to put on a shelf with all you need to know. Listen to this episode of HR Law 101, part 2 of Handbooks and What to Include, to hear attorney Tawny Alvarez discuss the job policies and expectations for employees. Make sure to check out part 1! (Originally recorded in January 2019)

        HR Law 101 Ep.8: Handbooks and What to Include Part 3

        Many business owners and HR professionals look for a concise and straight forward employee handbook. The truth is, there isn’t just one universal handbook to put on a shelf with all you need to know. Listen to this episode of HR Law 101, part 3 and the final part to Handbooks and What to Include, to hear attorney Tawny Alvarez dive into leave policies, post termination issues, and wrapping up concepts that will provide your company with the most protections when using an employee handbook. Make sure to check out part 1 and 2! (Originally recorded in February 2019)

        HR Law 101 Ep.9: How Does USERRA Apply To Your Company?

        The Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, also known as USERRA, has multiple responsibilities for employers and employees. In this episode of HR Law 101, attorney Tawny Alvarez will highlight a few duties that the statute has and what laws are applicable to your organization. (Originally recorded in February 2019)

        HR Law 101 Ep.10: Are You Aware of the Family Medical Leave Act? Part 1

        In this episode of our HR Law 101 series, attorney Tawny Alvarez discusses the Family Medical Leave Act or FMLA. In part 1, we discuss the federal act generally, including who it is applicable to, what rights an employee has, and how different terms in the statute are defined. (Originally recorded in May 2019)

        Key Contacts

        Subscribe

        Looking for more great content? Subscribe for regular legal updates and information delivered right to your inbox.

        Firm Highlights

        Press Releases

        Verrill Recognized as a Best Law Firm by Best Lawyers®

        BOSTON, Mass.; AUGUSTA, Maine; BANGOR, Maine, PORTLAND, Maine; GREENWICH, Conn., and WESTPORT, Conn. – Verrill has been recognized in the 2027...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Attorney Stephen Segal Named President of the Maine Chapter of the Federal Bar Association

        PORTLAND, Maine – Verrill attorney Stephen B. Segal has been elected President of the Maine Chapter of the Federal Bar Association (FBA). The...
        Press Releases

        42 Verrill Attorneys Named 2026 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

        BOSTON, Mass.; BANGOR, Maine; PORTLAND, Maine; and WESTPORT, Conn. – Verrill is proud to announce that 42 attorneys have been recognized in the...
        Blog

        Introduction to the Blog Post Series & PART 1: Understanding Chemical Safety Regulation A Primer on RMP, PSM, and the General Duty Clause

        If your facility handles hazardous chemicals, there is a good chance you are subject to one—or more—of the federal government’s chemical safety...
        Blog

        Self-Certification of 401(k) and 403(b) Plan Distributions

        With passage of the SECURE Act in 2019 and the SECURE 2.0 Act in 2022, 401(k) and 403(b) plan sponsors have been able, but not required, to provide...
        Blog

        Working 9 to 5? It’s a Way to Make a Livin’, so Make Sure You’re Payin’ for Every Minute: A Maine Employer’s Guide to Stacked Wage & Hour Rules

        Four decades after Dolly Parton gave us both the namesake anthem of the American workday and the film about three fed-up office workers’ dreams of...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        Can AI Pass the Doctor Test? FDA Considers Physician-Inspired Evaluation of GenAI Devices and Other Regulatory Measures

        AI is entering healthcare with indomitable will. It promises to increase efficiency, reduce administrative burden (which healthcare providers so...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Attorney Annabel Rodriguez Named Top Women of Law by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

        BOSTON, Massachusetts – Verrill attorney Annabel Rodriguez has been recognized as a Top Women of Law by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, and will be...
        Blog

        What Employee Benefits Lawyers Do (and How to Make the Best Use of Us)

        What do employee benefits lawyers do all day and how can clients make the best use of them? This post offers an overview of the kinds of things...
        Media Mentions

        Bloomberg Law Quotes Robert Keach on Expanded Access to Small Business Reorganization

        Verrill attorney Bob Keach was recently featured in Bloomberg Law, discussing legislation that would raise debt limits for bankruptcy relief and...
        Blog

        Phil Bartlett to Step Down as Chair of the Maine Public Utilities Commission

        On September 15, 2026, Governor Janet Mills announced that Phil Bartlett will step down as Chair of the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC)...
        Published Works

        Jay McCormack and Michael Fee Co-Author AHLA Article on Skin Substitute Enforcement Trends

        Verrill Partners Jay McCormack and Michael Fee co-authored an article for the American Health Law Association's Fraud and Abuse Practice Group...