Making Work Better: Employment Law & Workplace Challenges

In January of 2026, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC") voted to rescind its Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace, an over-200-page document from the Biden-era EEOC that aimed to interpret what constitutes "workplace harassment" under federal law. But what does it mean that this guidance has been removed? Is harassment now lawful? Are things that were considered to be harassment no longer illegal? How should workplaces navigate future harassment claims without this guide? Employment attorneys Mary Charlton and Chad Ayers respond to these crucial questions that many employers are now grappling with. Mary and Chad provide background on the EEOC's role in the federal government, then explain what this removal will look like in practice and how organizations can best navigate this new landscape. Tune in to hear Mary and Chad explore: How the guidance helped to determine what constitutes "workplace harassment" Who is most affected by the lack of this resource How the withdrawal of the guidance was highly unorthodox How Illinois law's protections and requirements can help offset the rescinded federal interpretations What steps employers can take to avoid harassment claims in the absence of this guidance The EEOC's actions have left employers and employees alike with a lack of clarity surrounding harassment law. Drop in on Mary and Chad's conversation if you'd like to know how your business can move forward in this new uncertainty. Stay Connected and Learn More Read Mary and Chad's blog, "The EEOC Just Retracted Its Harassment Guidance. Does That Mean Guardrails on Workplace Harassment Are Now Gone?" Mary Charlton Chad Ayers The Prinz Law Firm

From increased workplace transparency to paid nursing breaks to background check requirements, many new laws and updates to existing legal framework are set to go into effect in Illinois at the start of 2026. As employment attorneys, Katie Rinkus and Hannah Savaso are here to help you stay on top of the biggest changes. In this episode, we'll walk you through what's changing and what both employees and businesses should be aware of heading into the new year. Tune in to hear Katie and Hannah discuss: What Illinois now considers as "unlawful employment practices" Which workplace leaves must now be paid How state equal pay requirements are becoming more streamlined Upcoming restrictions surrounding the use of AI during the hiring process How Illinois is being proactive in preserving workers' safety protections that may be at risk Whether you're a business owner or an employee, keeping up to date with the changing workplace is essential. Give this episode a listen to learn what these changes might mean for you! Stay Connected and Learn More Read our blog post on Illinois' New Laws in 2026 Read Katie's blog post on changes to the Illinois Workplace Transparency Act Katie Rinkus Hannah Savaso The Prinz Law Firm

New Year's resolutions are more than just a fun thing for us to think about every January. In fact, they're a form of internal negotiation that has the potential to impact our lives and the lives of the people around us – and Kristen Prinz and Amit Bindra are here to help you make the most of the new year. Whether we want to make a career change, get more exercise, or achieve some other goal in 2026, this episode will give you the tools you need to determine what's most important, why it matters to you, and how to go about achieving it. Tune in to hear Kristen and Amit discuss: What Kristen considers the key components of any internal negotiation Questions to ask yourself when setting goals for the future The most productive research techniques for getting what you want out of a negotiation, whether it's internal or external How your network can help you brainstorm new goals How to overcome talking yourself out of something you want to achieve Why Amit finds quarterly milestones more manageable than yearly goals Stay Connected and Learn More Kristen's blog post, "Negotiate with Yourself to Achieve Your New Year's Resolutions" Kristen Prinz Amit Bindra The Prinz Law Firm

The holiday season is fast approaching, and workplaces can help to keep spirits high by staying clear of potential issues surrounding gift-giving in the office. What may seem like a simple gesture between coworkers can also lead to a variety of legal pitfalls, from discrimination and harassment claims to tax implications. Business counselors Chad Ayers and Christina Hynes Mesco dive into those issues by sharing stories of their own holiday experiences at work. In this episode, we'll share suggestions for success when giving gifts to colleagues. Chad and Christina will discuss: To make the most of this time of year, streamline your organization's gift-giving and holiday celebrations. Tune in to hear our recommendations for how employers can show they care while also avoiding liability. Stay Connected and Learn More Read Chad's blog post on gift-giving Listen to a related episode: Ep. 13 – "How Can You Throw a Safe and Appropriate Holiday Party?" Chad Ayers Christina Hynes Mesco The Prinz Law Firm

Many business leaders think that a healthy workplace culture is important, but they don't always know what it takes to have one. Some companies may simply restate their values at every annual meeting and call it a day. Others may not know what their culture looks like at all. Improving the health of your workplace isn't a one-and-done thing—for as long as your company remains open, learning what is and isn't working must be an ongoing process. Business counselor Kristen Prinz is joined by Michelle Aronson, founder of Culture + Strategy Lab and host of the True Stories at Work podcast, to dive into what it really takes to bring your workplace culture to life. By sharing real scenarios that business clients have navigated, our hosts provide insight into the link between the strength of a company's culture and its response when something goes wrong. Michelle and Kristen explore: · Whether culture can be measured accurately with quantitative metrics · The responsibilities that both leadership and employees have in creating company culture · The root causes of most culture issues · The link between employee engagement and customer engagement · How our personal biases cloud our ability to assess claims of workplace harassment · What companies with the strongest cultures are doing to invest in their health If you're aware of problems that exist in your work environment and aren't sure how to respond—or if you want to learn how to identify problems before they arise—this episode will be well worth the listen. About Michelle Aronson Michelle Aronson is a recovering HR executive, executive coach, and business school professor turned founder of Culture + Strategy Lab. She helps growing companies turn culture into a competitive advantage—using real strategy, not fluff. Michelle once managed both employee and customer experience (a.k.a. half of the CEO's bonus) and learned firsthand how to uncover the invisible forces shaping culture and driving results. Today, she designs custom, measurable strategies that align leadership, culture, and business outcomes. She also hosts True Stories at Work—a podcast sharing the best leadership stories you've never heard, from hilarious to heartbreaking, plus a few workplace confessions. Stay Connected and Learn More Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn Check out Culture + Strategy Lab Kristen Prinz Culture audits at The Prinz Law Firm

It's an unfortunate statistic, but most people have seen or experienced some form of misconduct at work at least once in their careers. As employment attorneys and workplace investigators, Christina Hynes Mesco and Laura Feldman have seen the full gamut of these types of matters and know that even the most cautionary tales can teach us valuable lessons about how to approach these difficult, and often highly emotional, cases. Using a recent and very public corporate scandal, Christina and Laura explore how a prominent corporation properly responded to misconduct claims and use that example as a springboard for providing their best practices for organizations faced with similar complaints. In this episode, you will learn: The key role that senior leadership and even boards of directors play in addressing misconduct in the workplace and the kinds of training that both should receive How to ensure that senior leadership has a pulse on what's going on in an organization How to spot retaliation and best prevent it When employment insurance can impact an organization's response to misconduct claims Whether a complaint needs to be formally filed to treat harassment claims seriously Practical considerations when conducting an internal versus an external investigation Why culture audits are recommended for preventing and even responding to harassment claims This episode will be a valuable guide for senior leaders, HR professionals, and managers navigating harassment claims, as well as attorneys who may be advising individuals in bringing these claims forward. Tune in to learn which practices will help you identify and prevent harassment within your team. Stay Connected and Learn More: Read Christina and Laura's blog on managing misconduct Christina Hynes Mesco Laura Feldman The Prinz Law Firm

It’s no secret that the American workplace is constantly changing. The last few years alone have witnessed major trends, from “job hugging” and a focus on mental health at work to Gen Z entering the labor force amidst a backlash against DEI initiatives. Such shifts have left business leaders struggling to navigate their new reality in a way that promotes business, inspires employees, and makes us all feel better about our jobs. Business attorney Katie Rinkus welcomes Beth Ridley, a workplace culture consultant and the CEO of Ridley Consulting Group, to dissect these various workplace trends, explaining their effects on businesses and employees alike. Together, they shine a light on how some leaders have responded to new trends—and it’s not always for the better. Often, businesses have “over-rotated,” or dramatically course-corrected in ways that have had toxic effects on company culture. In this episode, Katie and Beth explore: · Over-rotation vs. a “both/and” long-term sustainable approach to change If you’re an employee who feels overwhelmed by the uncertainty of the current climate, Beth and Katie provide a new perspective. If you’re a business leader feeling the same, this episode offers insight on how to sustainably respond to the changes and still reach desired results. Tune in for a few tips on problem-solving, even when you don’t have all the answers. Beth Ridley Beth Ridley is a former corporate executive turned workplace culture consultant, speaker, author, and CEO of Ridley Consulting Group. She helps organizations turn culture into a true competitive advantage. Drawing on 25 years of global leadership and management consulting experience—and expertise in change management and positive psychology—Beth equips HR teams and people managers with practical roadmaps and tools to build resilient, change-ready, high-performing teams without burning people out. A recognized thought leader on leadership and workplace culture, Beth’s insights are featured in national publications, on television, and from stages at events worldwide. Beth holds degrees from the University of Virginia, Tufts University, and Columbia University, and has lived in London, Tokyo, Johannesburg, and Bangkok. She now calls Milwaukee, Wisconsin home, where she lives with her husband and three children. Stay connected and learn more Beth Ridley on LinkedIn Beth’s newsletter Holistic Performance Management System website The Leadership Trust Crisis: Why Employees Are Tuning Out—And How to Win Them Back Katie Rinkus The Prinz Law Firm

In this thought-provoking episode, employment and business attorney Kristen Prinz speaks with NYU Stern School of Business professor, bestselling author, and podcast host Suzy Welch to discuss her book Becoming You: The Proven Method for Crafting Your Authentic Life and Career. An outgrowth of years of research into human values, Becoming You clarifies what values really are—and what they’re not—and helps readers better understand themselves and what makes them more authentically happy by finding their “area of transcendence.” Our values influence countless aspects of our lives, from the relationships we form with others to how we approach our work. But when our work is out of sync with our values, it can lead not only to personal distress, but to toxic team dynamics, misunderstanding, and all-around negativity. So how does one get back on track? Suzy suggests the difficult task of identifying an overarching purpose, or “area of transcendence.” It isn’t necessarily simple work—in fact, it can be downright intimidating. But by making it easier to identify our values, Suzy’s work aims to give readers the understanding and agency they need to craft a life that truly fulfills them. In this episode, Kristen and Suzy explore: · How Suzy’s career path influenced the creation of the Becoming You methodology · Telling the difference between values and virtues or personality traits · The development of the Values Bridge, Suzy’s test for determining one’s core values · Reasons why we might not be living our values · What it means to live an “A+ life” and why so many people settle for a “B+ life” · How an authentic life impacts team dynamics at work Whether you’re looking to find work that’s aligned with your values, to improve the culture of your workplace, or simply want to live more authentically, Suzy’s book is required reading. Dip your toe into the world of human values by listening to this episode—and take the first step toward positive change. Stay Connected & Learn More: Becoming You the book Becoming You the podcast (Apple) The Values Bridge Suzy’s website Suzy’s NYU Stern profile Kristen Prinz The Prinz Law Firm

In this eye-opening episode, employment attorneys Kristen Prinz and Christina Hynes Mesco explore the complex dynamics of harassment among senior executives—particularly how it impacts women in top leadership roles. Executives often have fewer avenues for reporting sexual harassment than other employees, and women continue to face disproportionate scrutiny and higher standards of behavior in the workplace. At the same time, executives are not immune from being accused of harassment themselves. Kristen and Christina rely on their own expertise in counseling clients and litigating employment claims to explore the unique position senior women occupy in these conversations and how they can protect themselves and their teams. Our hosts—experienced employment attorneys—discuss: · Why senior women are often targets · How miscommunications and unclear boundaries can lead to liability · Why retaliation is still one of the most common mistakes companies make · How they advise clients facing these high-stakes issues · What effective organizational responses actually look like · The critical importance of documenting concerns early and clearly This episode will be instructive for C-suite leaders and aspiring executives, HR professionals and legal counsel, and anyone managing workplace culture and compliance. Whether you’re an executive navigating a tricky situation or advising leadership from the wings, this episode offers essential insights on how to lead with integrity, manage risk, and promote healthier workplace culture. Stay Connected & Learn More: Kristen Prinz Christina Hynes Mesco Christina & Kristen’s blog on executive harassment The Prinz Law Firm

Social media can be a great way to stay connected to current events, but we’ve seen it used more and more frequently as a tool for harassment and retaliation, including in the workplace. The ongoing lawsuit between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni is just one recent example, which features claims of a social media smear campaign—and the court of public opinion is taking sides. Employment attorneys Kristen Prinz and Laura Feldman provide an overview of the dispute and unpack the power dynamics between a big director and an even bigger star. Using this legal saga as a test case, they explore the dangers of engaging with traditional media and the pitfalls of using social media campaigns. They also explain how employment attorneys approach retaliation claims and the professional duties of attorneys when it comes to publicizing their work. Kristen and Laura won’t weigh in on who’s right or wrong in this particular case, but they will share some of the do’s and dont’s of using both traditional media and social media in connection with a legal claim. Stay Connected & Learn More: Kristen Prinz Laura Feldman The Prinz Law Firm Read the Lively lawsuit

The first 100 days of the new Trump administration have been nothing but unprecedented. From terminating federal agency heads to signing controversial executive orders to the targeting of DEI efforts, both businesses and individual workers are dealing with a lot of change—and likely navigating a lot of confusion. Prinz’s marketing manager Matt Tedeschi welcomes senior associate attorney Mary Charlton to the mic to analyze some of the most significant changes from an employment law perspective and what they mean for workers nationwide. Matt and Mary offer critical insight into the sorts of activity that businesses should steer clear of in the wake of recent developments. But they also provide a roadmap for what businesses can continue to do in the workplace to maintain their values while remaining compliant with a quickly shifting political and legal landscape. This episode is necessary for anyone wondering what is no longer allowed at work—and what still is—in the wake of the Trump administration’s first 100 days. Stay Connected & Learn More: Read our blog on the Do’s & Don’ts of DEI in the Workplace Read our blog on Trump’s Anti-DEI Executive Orders Read our blog on Trump’s Purge of EEOC Officials Read our blog on Trump’s Purge of NLRB Officials Read our blog on the Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action in Admissions Case Matt Tedeschi Mary Charlton The Prinz Law Firm

Earlier this year, an amendment to the Illinois Freedom to Work Act invalidated non-compete clauses that would make it more difficult for a veteran or first responder to obtain mental health services. Without timely access to proper mental health care, these groups are at a higher risk of developing conditions like PTSD from their line of work. Partner Amit Bindra unpacks the new amendment with Operations Manager Angelia Salgado, a licensed professional counsel (PLC) who holds a master's in clinical mental health counseling. They discuss the law from the perspectives of both the legal field and the mental health industry. Amit provides background to Illinois non-compete law and explains how exactly this law changes things, while Angelia explores how mental health providers should modify their practice going forward, from introducing new paperwork to educating their teams on the amendment. Stay Connected & Learn More: Read our blog on the amendment Amit Bindra Angelia Salgado The Prinz Law Firm

After the Trump Administration issued an executive order targeting Perkins Coie, we signed on to an amicus brief in support of the firm’s lawsuit challenging the order. Since then, the administration has gone after three more firms, making collective action even more necessary to protect the rule of law. Prinz partners Kristen Prinz and Amit Bindra provide context around the executive orders and explain why they decided to add their voices to this critical lawsuit. Why are these firms being targeted? Are these executive orders constitutional? What exactly is an amicus brief? Kristen and Amit will answer all your questions and more. Stay Connected & Learn More: Read about Perkins Coie’s response to the executive order on their website Read the amicus brief Kristen Prinz Amit Bindra The Prinz Law Firm

Business attorney Katie Rinkus welcomes Amy M. Gardner to the mic to discuss common ways they see conflict show up in the workplace. Amy is a certified Career and Career Transitions Coach and Team Development and Leadership Consultant and the co-owner of Apochromatik, which offers team and leadership development programs to help organizations resolve conflict and reach their goals. One of the primary causes of conflict in the workplace is a poor culture: there is a lack of vulnerability-based trust that leads people to feel undervalued and unable to speak up or to ask for help. Conflict is also commonly seen in the hiring and onboarding process. Sometimes decisions to hire are rushed, job duties are not what were originally promised, and communication is simply unclear. Because culture issues, lack of communication, and conflict can, as Amy says, “cost money and happiness,” it’s important for organizations to address these issues. Ongoing training—not just for management but for entire teams—can help things run more smoothly no matter the conflict flashpoint, especially when a team is trained on navigating difficult conversations. Join Katie and Amy as they unpack conflict at work and how to best respond to it so that we all can make work better for each other. Amy M. Gardner Amy M. Gardner works with law firms and corporations to reengage teams and help them thrive by utilizing Apochromatik’s proprietary Team Driven Leadership approach to build leadership skills, improve relationships, strengthen emotional intelligence, have difficult conversations, and more. She also works with lawyers to advance or transition in their careers. Her work with teams and lawyers draws on her unique experience as a former Big Law associate, partner at a mid-size Chicago firm, and dean of students at the University of Chicago Law School. She received her MA in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University, JD from the University of Chicago, and BA from Luther College, as well as certifications in team and leadership coaching, 1:1 coaching, and various assessments. Her expertise has been featured in media including numerous podcasts, ABA publications, Corporette, Glassdoor, Health, Monster, NBC, and Women’s Running magazine. Connect with Amy at amy@apochromatik.com. Stay Connected & Learn More: Amy M. Gardner on LinkedIn Katie Rinkus Apochromatik Team Driven Leadership The Prinz Law Firm

Illinois has seen several new employment laws take effect since the beginning of 2025. Prinz’s marketing manager and employment paralegal Matt Tedeschi joins employment attorney and business counselor Katie Rinkus to recap some of the most significant changes and what they mean for both employees and employers. From minimum wage increases to an expansion of the Illinois Human Rights Act and new whistleblower protections, these new changes will have wide-ranging impacts on workplaces and employment litigation for years to come. Drawing upon interactions they’ve had with Prinz clients and callers, Matt and Katie explain how these new laws are changing the legal landscape in Illinois, while offering practical tips on how to adapt business policies to ensure workplaces remain compliant. Learn more Read Matt’s blog post on 2025’s new laws Katie Rinkus Matt Tedeschi The Prinz Law Firm

Are you looking for a new role or hoping to advance beyond your current one? Certified Career Coach and Facilitator Carmelina Piedra joins attorney Katie Rinkus to discuss what you can do to take that next step and succeed! Carmelina offers a host of tips for those wishing to make a career transition, based on her many years of experience coaching job seekers and professionals in numerous sectors. She focuses on the significance of a positive mindset and relationship-building, including online through LinkedIn or by networking in person. Anyone who has secured a new job knows that a key component is negotiating. Carmelina highlights various things beyond the base salary that you can bargain over, such as start date, sign-on bonus, and stock and equity. Katie warns that restrictive covenants are often included in new job offers and that a candidate should always be aware of potential obligations of new employment. Carmelina and Katie also discuss the necessity of focusing on one’s own career progression, and the duty that managers have to ensure their reports are being built up and supported. Carmelina Piedra is a Certified Career Coach and Facilitator and has been recognized as a Forbes Distinguished Career Coach. She is the founder of CareerCoachingPro, which offers a variety of coaching services to individuals, businesses, and groups. Carmelina is a contributor to Forbes and is a member of the Forbes Coaches Council. Stay Connected & Learn More: Katie Rinkus Carmelina Piedra on LinkedIn Career Coaching Pro The Prinz Law Firm

You’re starting a new venture and it’s time to finally create your business as a formal legal entity, but what kind of entity do you choose: a corporation, an LLC, something else? Business counselors Katie Rinkus and Kristen Prinz decode the major differences among sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and LLCs, providing insight into the benefits and drawbacks of each. Katie and Kristen touch upon how to reduce personal liability, various tax classifications, and the differences among such roles as managers, shareholders, and officers. More than anything, they stress long-term thinking and the benefits of seeking out trusted expertise from a knowledgeable attorney. Stay Connected & Learn More: Read Katie’s blog on the ABCs of Business Entities Katie Rinkus Kristen Prinz The Prinz Law Firm

Business clients routinely ask our attorneys whether their workers are actual employees or instead function as independent contractors (ICs). Drawing upon their expertise as employment and business lawyers, Katie Rinkus and Poonam Lakhani discuss the differences between employees and ICs, and why it’s so important for businesses to properly classify their workers. Katie and Poonam briefly touch upon the laws and agencies that regulate these distinctions, before moving on to why businesses might prefer to use ICs over regular employees. Then they address the legal and financial risks in misclassifying workers and explain two key “tests” for determining who is an employee or an IC. Whether you’re a business owner or a worker, this episode will help you better determine who counts as an employee or an independent contractor. Stay Connected & Learn More: Read Katie’s post on worker classification Read Poonam’s post on the U.S. DOL’s 2024 Final Rule Poonam Lakhani Katie Rinkus The Prinz Law Firm

Business attorney and advisor Katie Rinkus welcomes Corbin Beastrom to the mic to discuss the current reality of remote work. Corbin is founder of Illyrian Group, a fully remote professional search company. But there’s a plot twist: he prefers to work most days in an office setting. Katie probes Corbin’s own professional path and his current approach to work, before they consider whether fully in-person, hybrid, or remote work is best for business and for recruitment. Corbin provides insight into what candidates are looking for in their job search, and whether there are any generational preferences for specific types of work arrangements. Katie and Corbin also touch upon what successful remote companies are doing and top tips for navigating a remote landscape. If you are interested in how trends in work style have evolved over the past few years—and what successful companies need to know to remain successful—tune in! Stay Connected & Learn More: Corbin Beastrom Illyrian Group Katie Rinkus Check out Corbin’s discussion with Katie regarding the FTC non-compete ban

While the Federal Trade Commission’s non-compete ban languishes in litigation limbo, various states are continuing to modify their regulation of non-competes. Employment attorneys and business counselors Amit Bindra and Katie Rinkus discuss a variety of recent state-level changes taking place nationwide, from Maine to California. Tune in for a run-down of these developments. Stay Connected & Learn More: Read Amit’s blog post on recent non-compete changes Amit Bindra Connect with Amit on Twitter Katie Rinkus