When Workplace Culture Becomes a Liability

KSU - Jerome Tang Update

In this follow-up episode, co-host Rudy Davis and attorney/host Dwayne Smith break down the legal landscape since Jerome Tang's for-cause firing from Kansas State. Topics include Tang's return to Baylor and how it affects his damages claim, the duty-to-mitigate argument, the comparator coaches, K-State's strongest and weakest arguments, the settlement dynamics, and key takeaways for HR professionals and high-profile employees. Timestamps: 0:30 – Introduction & episode overview 1:33 – Jerome Tang lands at Baylor: what happened after the firing 2:46 – The for-cause firing explained 3:16 – Tang's legal team and the threat of a lawsuit 3:52 – How Tang's new job affects his legal case 4:22 – Duty to mitigate damages: the financial math 5:44 – What Tang could allege against K-State 6:19 – The comparator coach: a two-week suspension for worse conduct 7:59 – The football coach comparator (Chris Kleiman) 9:03 – Contract consistency and the disparate treatment argument 9:39 – K-State's defense: the unilateral authority argument 11:36 – K-State's weakest argument 12:22 – What K-State should have done differently 12:56 – Timeline to resolution — and what happens if they can't settle 13:33 – The potential hammer letter and what it signals 14:40 – The bigger picture: NIL and institutional power 15:12 – Who has the power right now 16:59 – Takeaway for HR professionals and executives 17:30 – Closing

Fractional HR Services - A Conversation with Scott Chase

Overview In this episode, Scott Chase, a seasoned HR expert with 25 years of experience, discusses the importance of fractional HR for small and medium-sized businesses. He shares insights on HR strategies, common pitfalls, and practical steps to build a compliant and supportive workplace. Keywords HR, fractional HR, small business, HR policies, employee handbook, workplace culture, HR strategy, compliance, talent acquisition, employee relations Chapters 00:00 Introduction to HR and Scott Chase's Journey 03:05 Understanding the Role of HR in Organizations 05:20 Defining Fractional HR and Its Importance 07:58 Initial Steps in Client Engagement 10:46 The Cost of Ignoring HR in Small Businesses 13:04 The Importance of Employee Communication 15:31 Talent Acquisition Mistakes in Small Businesses 18:04 Adapting to New Generations in the Workforce 20:47 The Essential Employee Handbook 23:09 Valuing People Over Numbers in Business   Resources Scott Chase on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottgchase/] Chief of Staff [https://chiefofstaffkc.com/scott-chase-hr-consultant/]

Choosing To Live

Summary In this heartfelt interview, Amy Sharpe shares her journey through her husband's (Greg Sharpe) cancer diagnosis, their life in Nebraska, and the importance of living fully despite life's challenges. Discover insights on faith, resilience, and the power of living in the moment. Keywords Amy Sharpe, Greg Sharpe, cancer journey, faith, resilience, Nebraska, broadcasting, family, living fully Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Amy Sharp's Journey 04:12 Transitioning to Nebraska: New Beginnings 04:53 Navigating Career Changes and Family Life 07:13 A Family Trip to Hong Kong: Joy and Reflection 09:57 Facing the Cancer Diagnosis 14:40 Living with Cancer: Emotions and Resilience 18:52 Adjusting to Life After Loss 23:17 The Role of Faith in Healing 25:00 Lessons Learned and Messages to Share 27:46 Final Thoughts and Legacy of Greg Sharpe Amy Sharpe LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amylietz/]

The Woman Behind The Voice

Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Amy Sharpe 02:16 Amy's Journey in Journalism 11:51 Navigating the Challenges of Being a Female Anchor 16:00 Memorable Stories from Amy's Career 18:35 Meeting Greg Sharpe: A Personal Connection 21:34 The Evolution of Their Relationship 24:38 Transition to Nebraska and Supporting Greg 27:07 Foundation of Their Relationship Before Challenges 29:36 Shifting the Power Balance Outro.mp3

When Workplace Culture Becomes a Liability

Workplace culture can look polished on the outside while hiding toxic behavior and serious legal risk underneath. In my follow-up conversation with Fractional General Counsel and Attorney Tim Papuga, we discuss:  • Defining workplace culture as lived values  • Reading culture quickly through respect, trust, and accountability  • Separating a single bad actor from a leadership and culture failure  • Understanding why policies and handbooks fail without real enforcement  • Clarifying the at-will employment myth and how it fuels bad decisions  • Why conducting workplace investigations is important  • Choosing internal vs external investigators based on size, power dynamics, and credibility