EPISODE · Dec 29, 2025 · 37 MIN
Just Shut Up Already: Human Resource Myths Debunked
from The Employee Handbook - A Human Resources Podcast by 2 Lawyers · host Arta Wildeboer and Ryan Ellis
Send a textCan you sue your boss for being mean? Is workplace bullying illegal in California? What does HR actually do—and what are they required to tell you?Employment lawyers Arta Wildeboer and Ryan Ellis separate fact from fiction on the most common workplace myths that trip up California employees and employers alike.What We Cover:HR Complaints & InvestigationsHR is not the principal's office—when to go to your manager firstWhat employees are legally entitled to know during a workplace investigationYour right to participate vs. your right to see the full investigative fileHostile Work Environment & Workplace BullyingWhat legally qualifies as a hostile work environment in CaliforniaProtected characteristics under FEHA: race, sex, religion, national origin, age (40+), disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, veteran statusWhy being called names or yelled at daily isn't automatically illegalThe difference between an unpleasant boss and unlawful harassmentFirst Amendment & Social Media at WorkFree speech protects you from government prosecution—not from getting firedWhat speech IS protected: union organizing, whistleblowing, reporting illegal conductSocial media posts that can get you terminatedEmployer ObligationsWhy California corporations must have legal representation in courtTraining requirements (or lack thereof) for managersWhat employers actually owe employees under California lawPractical AdviceWhy you should never delete text messages, Slack messages, or Teams chatsWhen to document, when to escalate, when to leaveThe limits of the legal system for solving workplace problemsHosted by: Arta Wildeboer (Law Office of Arta Wildeboer, Downey CA) and Ryan Ellis — California employment attorneys breaking down real-world HR and workplace law issues.Disclaimer: Entertainment only. Not legal advice. Not your lawyers. California-focused.
What this episode covers
Send a text Can you sue your boss for being mean? Is workplace bullying illegal in California? What does HR actually do—and what are they required to tell you? Employment lawyers Arta Wildeboer and Ryan Ellis separate fact from fiction on the most common workplace myths that trip up California employees and employers alike. What We Cover: HR Complaints & Investigations HR is not the principal's office—when to go to your manager firstWhat employees are legally entitled to know during a wor...
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Just Shut Up Already: Human Resource Myths Debunked
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