Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Open Meetings Act (OMA) Explained - Off The Clock Ep 97

What really counts as a public record? Can a text message land your organization in legal trouble? And why should private employers care about the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Open Meetings Act (OMA)? In this episode, Miller Johnson employment attorney Sarah Willey sits down with Rich Cherry to break down two critical public transparency laws: FOIA and OMA. Whether you’re in HR, work for a public body, or represent a private employer that interacts with the government, this episode will help you avoid common compliance mistakes and protect sensitive information. 🔍 Tune in as we explore: What FOIA and OMA actually cover Why personal texts and emails can become public records How private employers can (and should) use FOIA Common legal mistakes by public sector employers What makes a meeting "public" under the law 📌 Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 01:48 – What is FOIA? 02:49 – What Counts as a Public Record Under FOIA? 03:39 – Common FOIA Mistakes Public Employers Make 09:05 – Exemptions in FOIA 10:41 – How Does FOIA Affect Private Employers? 12:28 – How to Make a Request Under FOIA 15:04 – Can Your Documents Be Requested Under FOIA? 16:18 – What is the Open Meetings Act (OMA)? 17:42 – What is a "Meeting" Under OMA? 18:48 – Virtual Meetings and OMA Rules 24:27 – Does OMA Matter to Private Employers? 🎙️Podcast: You can also listen to all the “The Lawyers Off the Clock” podcast episodes by subscribing on: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3lRrGuS...