Good Morning, HR
Mike Coffey, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Recent Episodes
In episode 179, Coffey talks with Kacey Riccomini about managing political and social speech in the workplace in a time of heightened political division and social tension. (HRCI business credit)
They discuss legal protections for political speech under federal and California state laws; when political speech becomes discriminatory or creates a hostile work environment; the limitations of First Amendment protections in private workplaces; employer rights and responsibilities regarding employee social media use; how to handle disruptive political discussions in the workplace; the challenges of managing speech in remote work environments; the importance of having clear workplace policies around respectful communication; the definition and handling of retaliation claims; the risks and considerations around employer monitoring of employee social media.
Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.
If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit (HRCI business credit). To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.
About our Guest:
A dynamic litigator with a breadth of experience, Kacey creates and executes effective litigation strategies to address a variety of complex disputes. She advises a wide range of clients, from members of Fortune 500 and large privately-held companies to smaller businesses.
Aggressive, focused, and methodical in her approach, Kacey leads complex litigation that is practical and consistent with her clients' business goals and strategic objectives. She represents clients in state, federal and appellate courts as well as before various dispute resolution agencies. She has prevailed in state and federal courts at all stages of litigation, including trial, and has successfully arbitrated and mediated numerous cases before the AAA and other dispute resolution agencies.
Kacey is a talented writer who professionally publishes articles on various legal topics. She also serves on the editorial boards for two publications, Bender's Labor & Employment Bulletin and Bender's California Labor & Employment Bulletin.
Prior to joining Thompson Coburn, Kacey was an Associate at Chapman, Glucksman, Dean, Roeb & Barger, where her practice focused on professional liability for accountants and business managers, construction defect litigation for builders and developers, and insurance defense.
Kacey Riccomini can be reached at
https://www.thompsoncoburn.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kacey-riccomini-2220192b
About Mike Coffey:
Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and registered yoga teacher.
In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.
Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate clients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.
Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.
Mike shares his insight from 25 years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where each week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers, shareholders, and community.
Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence by FW, Inc. and has twice been recognized as the North Texas HR Professional of the Year.
Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and is a volunteer leader with the SHRM Texas State Council and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.
Mike is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He is also a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher (RYT-200).
Mike and his very patient wife of 27 years are empty nesters in Fort Worth.
Learning Objectives:
- Develop appropriate workplace policies that protect both employee rights and business interests while maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations regarding political and social speech
- Implement effective procedures for addressing potentially discriminatory or disruptive workplace speech while avoiding retaliation claims
- Distinguish between protected speech that requires employer action and general complaints that fall outside the scope of workplace regulations
In episode 178, Coffey talks with Jason Barrett about the evolving landscape of data privacy laws and their impact on employers' handling of personal information.
They discuss the cultural shift driving increased data privacy concerns; differences between personally identifiable information (PII) and sensitive personal information; roles of data controllers, processors, and consumers; GDPR's seven foundational principles; state-level privacy laws including Texas and California regulations; biometric data collection and regulation; cross-state jurisdiction issues; data storage and retention practices; and the implications of AI on data privacy.
Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.
If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit (business credit for HRCI). To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.
About our Guest:
Jason has worked over 20 years in corporate legal, compliance and HR roles in diverse industries including maritime, energy and oil and gas.
He has expertise in the areas of global employment, labor and IP law, employee relations, data privacy compliance and legal administration.
JAME Consulting, LLC focuses on providing comprehensive HR, legal, and data privacy consulting advice and training for all stages of the employment lifecycle.
Jason received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Mississippi and J.D. from the University of Houston.
Jason currently serves as a Board or committee member for 2 nonprofits and one private organization.
Jason Barrett can be reached at
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-barrett-jd-3062b6a
About Mike Coffey:
Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and registered yoga teacher.
In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.
Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate clients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.
Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.
Mike shares his insight from 25 years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where each week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers, shareholders, and community.
Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence by FW, Inc. and has twice been recognized as the North Texas HR Professional of the Year.
Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and is a volunteer leader with the SHRM Texas State Council and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.
Mike is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He is also a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher (RYT-200).
Mike and his very patient wife of 27 years are empty nesters in Fort Worth.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify different types of protected data and develop appropriate protocols for collecting, storing, and managing employee information.
- Create transparent data privacy policies that address both state and federal requirements while maintaining compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
- Implement data minimization practices that balance business needs with emerging privacy regulations and individual rights to data access and protection.
In episode 177, Coffey talks with Anna Redmond about comprehensive workplace security strategies and violence prevention programs.
They discuss physical security challenges beyond workplace violence; the importance of security assessments; domestic violence impacts on workplace safety; California's new workplace violence prevention law (SB 553); warning signs and pathways to violence; access control and reception area security concerns; managing external threats and restraining orders; and crisis communication strategies following security incidents.
Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.
If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.
About our Guest:
As the founder of Braav, I am on a mission to transform the private security industry with technology.
We've launched the first tech-centric Chief Security Officer Solution - perfect for any business that wants to up-level their safety and security practices through elite security talent. Our CSO network includes Chiefs of Police, Special Agents in Charge, Directors of Public Safety -- all of whom are ready and available to parachute in and help you implement small safety changes that yield out-sized results.
We supplement this with a guard management platform that delivers transparency and visibility for companies that hire security. For guards, we provide clear success metrics and enable them to schedule security work that fits their life.
I have over 15 years of experience in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and angel investing, with a focus on seed-stage startups and human-centric innovation. I co-founded Hippo Reads, a platform where public intellectuals and the brightest minds can share their thoughts and insights. I also wrote about our journey founding Hippo for Fast Company. I have an AB/AM in Economics and IT Policy, and History of Science from Harvard, and I speak English, Russian, and French. I am passionate about creating positive social impact through entrepreneurship and technology.
Anna Redmond can be reached at
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-redmond-security
About Mike Coffey:
Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and registered yoga teacher.
In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.
Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate clients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.
Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.
Mike shares his insight from 25 years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where each week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers, shareholders, and community.
Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence by FW, Inc. and has twice been recognized as the North Texas HR Professional of the Year.
Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and is a volunteer leader with the SHRM Texas State Council and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.
Mike is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He is also a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher (RYT-200).
Mike and his very patient wife of 27 years are empty nesters in Fort Worth.
Learning Objectives:
- Implement comprehensive security assessments that examine policies, physical infrastructure, and employee concerns to identify potential vulnerabilities.
- Develop protocols for handling domestic violence situations and restraining orders that protect both the affected employee and the broader workplace.
- Create effective crisis communication strategies that balance transparency with privacy while maintaining employee confidence in workplace safety measures.
In episode 176, Coffey talks with Steve Peglar about recent HR news and Reddit threads including the reversal of DOL overtime thresholds workplace (dis)satisfaction, the “overemployment” phenomenon, and changing employee expectations.
They discuss the federal court's overturn of DOL’s changes to overtime salary thresholds following the Loper Bright decision and implications for employers; declining employee quit rates despite widespread feelings of being "stuck" in current roles; the growing phenomenon of "overemployed" remote workers secretly holding multiple full-time jobs; and the continued impact of COVID-19 on workforce expectations.
Links to stuff they talked about are on our website at https://goodmorninghr.com/EP176 and include the following topics:
- Federal Court Strikes Down the U.S. Department of Labor’s Overtime Rule
- Why resentment is sweeping through the American workforce
- Glassdoor Worklife Trends 2025
- Basics of OE - How to Freeze TWN, Lexis Nexis, etc.
Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.
If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.
About our Guest:
Steve Peglar is a senior HR leader with 30 years of extensive and diverse experience in HR consulting and management. Steve is the principal at human resources consulting firm HR Strategies of Texas.
Throughout his career, Steve has maintained a strategic and tactical focus in a wide variety of human resources areas including HR legal & regulatory compliance, employee relations, policy development, EEO, organizational development, HR best practices, organizational culture, HR audits & reviews, workplace investigations, training & development, onboarding, outplacement, executive coaching, personality/workplace profiles (certified analyst with MBTI, Predictive Index, & True Colors), organizational studies, change management, performance management systems, organizational design, succession planning, workplace surveys, affirmative action plan development, compensation plan design & administration, market-based compensation analysis, total rewards program design, recruiting & executive search, HR technology, workplace benefits, M&A due diligence audits, expert witness testimony & litigation support, strategic planning facilitation, international human resources, employee immigration issues, labor relations, executive compensation, workplace safety, and more.
Steve is active in the community and has worked with a variety of nonprofit service organizations, including having served on the boards of directors of Community Healthcare of Texas (Board Chair), the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth (Board Chair & Board of Trustees member), Susan G. Komen Foundation of Greater Fort Worth, Boy Scouts of America Longhorn Council, the YMCA, and Fort Worth HR. He is also a graduate of the 2014 Leadership Fort Worth Class. In addition, he is a member of Austin SHRM (where he has served as a professional mentor) and the Austin Association for Talent Development.
Steve Peglar can be reached at
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevepeglar
https://www.hrstrategiestx.com
About Mike Coffey:
Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and registered yoga teacher.
In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.
Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate clients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.
Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.
Mike shares his insight from 25 years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where each week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers, shareholders, and community.
Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence by FW, Inc. and has twice been recognized as the North Texas HR Professional of the Year.
Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and is a volunteer leader with the SHRM Texas State Council and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.
Mike is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He is also a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher (RYT-200).
Mike and his very patient wife of 27 years are empty nesters in Fort Worth.
Learning Objectives:
- Evaluate strategic approaches to employee classification and compensation in light of changing DOL regulations while maintaining positive employee relations.
- Identify and address signs of employee disengagement and feelings of career stagnation through improved management practices and growth opportunities.
- Implement stronger employment verification and performance monitoring practices to prevent unauthorized multiple job holding among remote workers.
In episode 175, Coffey talks with Melanie Ronen about legal considerations and emerging regulations surrounding the use of AI in employment decisions.
They discuss current anti-discrimination laws affecting AI use; recent litigation related to AI in hiring; strategies for avoiding disparate impact discrimination; the role of bias testing in AI systems; proposed legislation in California and other jurisdictions; transparency in AI usage; considerations when selecting AI vendors; and future implications of AI regulation in employment.
Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.
If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.
About our Guest:
Working with clients across a broad array of industries, Melanie Ronen advises on all aspects of employment law, including hiring, promotion, termination, privacy, wage and hour, disability and protected leave, and retaliation and whistleblower issues. She assists with the drafting and review of employment manuals and agreements, ensuring compliance with federal and state employment laws.
Melanie works side by side with employers to provide practical, tailored solutions to the various issues that arise in the workplace. When unavoidable, Melanie defends employers in litigation involving all aspects of employment-related claims.
Melanie handles single-plaintiff and complex employment disputes in state and federal courts and arbitration involving claims related to discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, breach of contract, defamation, trade secret, unfair competition, and wage and hour issues, including class action and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) claims.
When complaints arise, Melanie also conducts workplace investigations regarding unlawful or unwanted conduct, including harassment and race, age and gender discrimination. She proactively identifies potential risk and formulates strategies in line with clients’ business objectives to mitigate conflict and avoid litigation.
Melanie Ronen can be reached at
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-ronen-07888123
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:
- Implement testing and monitoring procedures to identify potential discriminatory impacts of AI tools in employment decisions.
- Develop transparency protocols around AI usage that protect both employer interests and employee/candidate rights.
- Evaluate AI technology vendors based on their ability to test for bias, make necessary adjustments, and provide compliance documentation.