In this week's episode, I focus on recent headlines about two topics I have discussed in the past: the dangers of synthetic hair and civil rights violations in the workplace.

First, I take a look at a federal bill package brought before the U.S. Congress to protect women from deadly toxins in their beauty products, noting that women of color are more likely to be exposed to harmful chemicals than other women.

I then move on to an Ohio headline about allegations of retaliation, sexual harassment, unfair pay practices, and discrimination at the Ohio Civil Rights Commission — the very organization tasked with investigating allegations of civil rights violations in Ohio.

Today's podcast will feature five new and different human resources legal questions and how I might answer them. If you have a quirky, funny, or otherwise interesting HR/legal question you want to ask, please submit it to christel@christelbesttraining.com.

This is a Re-Air of a Law and Culture Classic!

Today we delve into two cases that involve alleged harassment against employees who didn't "keep quiet" about who they are. They exercised their freedom of expression and it cost them their jobs. In one case, the employee showed tattoos at work and was reprimanded though other similarly situated employees also had tattoos but were not reprimanded. In the second case, the employee shared the results of her genetic background with her colleagues after taking a genetic test. The co-workers responded in shocking and disturbing ways. How many personal truths should we share at work? Do we have an unfettered First Amendment right to bear all of who we are as art on our bodies? What about those ancestry kits? Would you take an ancestry test? If so, would you share the results with your colleagues? Finally, do you have a right to freedom of expression in the workplace?

In today's episode, we meet Captain Peter Murray, a Guyanese pilot who recalls his experience as a young man flying alone in a single-engine prop plane. Captain Murray describes his journeys across the Amazon Jungle to bring life-sustaining food to Amerindians and miners living beyond the reach of trucks and cars. His is a story of bravery, dedication, and humanitarian goodwill.

Kevin Lynch, manager of education for the National Constitution Center, joins me to discuss the living document that is our nation's Constitution. We examine how a nonpartisan analysis of the document is crucial to our democratic dialogue.

The studies are now public, and the results are concerning. The so-called "protectiveness" of synthetic braided hairstyles is more risky than protective. Recent research reveals that synthetic hair is not only harmful to the environment (as it ends up in landfills), but it may also be harmful to both the braider and the wearer.

In this week’s episode, we explore the intersection of culture and law in the beauty industry and how it is causing potential harm. From unsuspecting clients wearing synthetic braids to stylists exposed to braiding hair daily, the risks are real. In this week’s episode, we explore the intersection of culture and law in the beauty industry, and how it is causing potential harm. From unsuspecting clients wearing synthetic braids to stylists exposed to braiding hair daily, the risks are real.

In today's episode, we revisit the reverse discrimination case of Ames v. Ohio Youth Services by listening to excerpts from the oral arguments presented before the U.S. Supreme Court. Hearing the attorneys’ advocacy firsthand offers a more human and nuanced perspective on the legal analysis.

This episode originally aired December of 2024. Join us this week on Law and Culture for a look back and Christel's own journey and it's broader impact on how we view citizenship!

In today's episode, I address questions I often get about being born in Germany, being an American citizen, and then becoming a citizen of Barbados during the pandemic. I also share why I chose to become a citizen of Barbados. I hope this episode will help you explore your own citizenship questions.