Making Work Better: Employment Law & Workplace Challenges
Business & Finance
About
Making Work Better explores employment law, business issues, and workplace challenges through personal narratives and legal commentary. Our employment attorney experts and their guests discuss everything from new laws and human resources challenges to launching a small business or forging a unique career path. As the flagship program of The Prinz Law Firm in Chicago, this podcast will not feature legal advice—just conversations that help us all to make work better, regardless of our role.You might remember Making Work Better as "Tales from Around the Watercooler." We rebranded to better reflect the employment focus of our content.Learn about the firm and its work at https://www.prinz-lawfirm.com.
Episodes
- Ep. 48 – What Can We Learn from Noma's Abuse Controversy?
What happens when a prestigious restaurant comes under fire for workplace abuse? A recent New York Times article revealed that dozens of former employees at Noma, an award-winning restaurant in Copenhagen founded by chef Rene Redzepi, endu…
- Ep. 47 – An Attorney Guide to Using AI Responsibly
AI is becoming increasingly prominent in all kinds of industries, and the legal field is no exception. For lawyers, using AI can streamline processes and reduce billing for clients, but it can also pose risks to confidentiality and damage…
- Ep. 46 - Did the EEOC Just Change the Definition of Harassment?
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 "…
- Ep. 45 - Illinois' New Employment Laws of 2026
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…
- Ep. 44 – You vs. You: The Art of Negotiating Your New Year's Resolutions
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…
- Ep. 43 – To Give or Not to Give? A Guide to Being Merry, Not Messy
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 varie…
- Ep. 42 – What It Really Takes to Have a Healthy Workplace Culture, with Michelle Aronson
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…
- Ep. 41 - Managing Misconduct the Right Way
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…
- Ep. 40 – Navigating Recent Workplace Trends, with Beth Ridley
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 DE…
- Ep. 39 – Finding Your Values—and Why They Matter at Work, with Suzy Welch
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 C…
- Ep. 38 – High Rank, High Risk: Harassment in Executive Spaces
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 f…
- Ep. 37 – Social Media & Workplace Harassment: The Lively-Baldoni Dispute
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…
- Ep. 36 – Employment Law Changes Under Trump: The First 100 Days
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…
- Ep. 35 – Mental Health & Non-Competes in Illinois
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…
- Ep. 34 – Why Did We Join an Amicus Brief Challenging an Executive Order?
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…
- Ep. 33 – Turning Workplace Conflict into Opportunity with Amy M. Gardner
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…
- Ep. 32 – Illinois' New Employment Laws of 2025
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…
- Ep. 31 – Advance Your Job Search & Career Growth with Carmelina Piedra
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 offer…
- Ep. 30 – The ABCs of Business Entities
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 t…
- Ep. 29 – How to Avoid Misclassifying Workers
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…
- Ep. 28 – The Current State of Remote Work
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 pre…
- Ep. 27 – The WNBA & Pregnancy Discrimination
Three-time WNBA All-Star Dearica Hamby has sued the WNBA and her former team, the Las Vegas Aces, for pregnancy discrimination. Shortly after securing the Aces' first WNBA Championship and signing a two-year contract extension with the tea…
- Ep. 26 – Non-Compete Changes at the State Level
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 discus…
- Ep. 25 – Is the NBA Trade Secret Case Valid or an Intentional Foul?
In an unusual turn of events, the New York Knicks filed a lawsuit against the Toronto Raptors in August 2023, right before the start of the NBA season. The Knicks alleged theft of confidential and proprietary information after the Raptors…
- Ep. 24 – Courts Disagree Over the FTC Non-Compete Ban (Non-Competes V)
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) effectively banned non-compete agreements nationwide, a rule set to take effect on September 4, 2024. Yet two federal courts have arrived at opposing conclusions as to whether the FTC has the authority to…
- Ep. 23 - What Should Be in an Independent Contractor Agreement?
Business attorneys Katie Rinkus and Amit Bindra will tell you all you need to know about independent contractor agreements in this episode. They begin by distinguishing between employees and independent contractors, or "1099" workers, and…
- Ep. 22 – Dom's, Foxtrot, and The WARN Act
Employment attorney Kristin Hendriksen draws on her experience in a past life in restaurant operations to discuss the WARN Act and recent business closures with Matt Tedeschi, an employment paralegal and Marketing Manager at the firm. Kris…
- Ep. 21 – Did the FTC Just Ban Non-Competes? (Non-Competes IV)
In a sweeping action, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently published its final rule on non-competes, effectively banning them completely. Both individuals and businesses are wondering what this means for them currently and in the fu…
- Ep. 20 – What Is a PLLC…and Does My Business Need to Be One?
Some states require that certain business entities register as a PLLC (or professional limited liability company) and not simply as an LLC (limited liability company). Business and employment attorneys Katie Rinkus and Rebecca Chmielewski…
- Ep. 19 – 10 Essentials When Hiring Your First Employee
Employment attorneys and business counselors Katie Rinkus and Poonam Lakhani discuss the top 10 essential things to know or do when hiring your first employee. From how to conduct a background check to when to use a confidentiality agreeme…
- Ep. 18 – An Introduction to Culture Audits (Investigations III)
Seasoned workplace investigators Kristen Prinz and Christina Hynes Mesco discuss one of their favorite topics: culture audits! They discuss how audits can help prevent workplace problems before they arise, enabling organizations to avoid t…
- Ep. 17 – Disrupting Workplace Discrimination
Kristen Prinz welcomes to the mic Chiquita Hall-Jackson, a lawyer, DEI consultant, and community advocate known as the "Discrimination Disrupter." Chiquita strives to dismantle systems of bias, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace,…
- Ep. 16 – Non-Compete Bans (Non-Competes III)
Employment attorney Amit Bindra unpacks two recent attempts to ban non-competes. Starting with the successful legal ban in Minnesota, Amit explains why the prohibition is novel and addresses certain exemptions under the new law. He then tu…
- Ep. 15 – New Illinois Employment Laws of 2024
Employment attorney and business counselor Poonam Lakhani joins marketing manager and paralegal Matt Tedeschi to address the most significant new employment laws taking effect in Illinois in 2024. From minimum wage increases and new paid l…
- Ep. 14 – Workplace Leave Policies
Employment attorney and business counselor Poonam Lakhani discusses various types of workplace leave with marketing manager and paralegal Matt Tedeschi. They address recent trends in leave requirements as well as compliance challenges for…
- Ep. 13 – How Can You Throw a Safe and Appropriate Holiday Party?
Does your business want to throw a holiday party but you're afraid of potential shenanigans…and the liability that might result from them? In this episode geared toward employers, Marketing Manager and paralegal Matt Tedeschi welcomes Laur…
- Ep. 12 – The Corporate Transparency Act and Your Business
Managing Partner Kristen Prinz and transactional attorney Katie Rinkus discuss the Corporate Transparency Act, a new federal law requiring all companies to report information related to company ownership. Although the law's intent was to c…
- Ep. 11 – Mental Health Benefits in the Workplace
This episode focuses on the mental health benefits that workplaces can provide to workers. Kristen Prinz welcomes to the mic Sarah Malavenda, a trained psychotherapist and the Co-Founder & COO of Samata Health, and Angelia Salgado, the fir…
- Ep. 10 – The Delaware Trilogy of Non-Compete Cases (Non-Competes II)
Prinz Partner Amit Bindra elucidates three recent rulings of the Delaware Chancery Court, one of the nation's foremost non-compete courts. Two of the decisions involved business acquisitions, while a third addressed forfeiture clauses. Not…
- Ep. 9 – The Basics of a Workplace Investigation (Investigations II)
What would you do if an employee reported that a colleague kissed her without her permission at the company holiday party? Our attorneys say: investigate! From their experience as employment attorneys and workplace investigators, Kristen P…
- Ep. 8 – The Lizzo Lawsuit and Employment Law
Allegations from former dancers that Lizzo created a hostile work environment and engaged in sexual harassment and even false imprisonment have rocked the singer and body positivity icon's image, leaving many of her fans stunned. Employmen…
- Ep. 7 – Should Your Business Have an Unlimited PTO Policy?
Prinz attorney Poonam Lakhani and Laura Lefkow-Hynes discuss all things unlimited PTO in this episode! Reflecting on the trend in corporate America to increasingly offer unlimited PTO, Poonam and Laura address both the benefits and pitfall…
- Ep. 6 - Health Insurance and Employment
Kristen Prinz welcomes Alexandra Eidenberg, president and founder of The Insurance People, an award-winning insurance agency specializing in employee benefits, individual health insurance, and Medicare. Kristen and Alexandra discuss the va…
- Ep. 5 – What Are Non-Competes and Why Do They Matter? (Non-Competes I)
Prinz Partner Amit Bindra unpacks everything you've ever wanted to know about non-competes: what a non-competition agreement is, where employees are likely to see them, and how long they typically last. Amit also addresses how non-competes…
- Ep. 4 - What Are Workplace Investigations and Why Do They Matter? (Investigations I)
You might have heard in the news of workplace investigations underway at any number of companies that have been struck with controversy. Kristen Prinz and Christina Hynes Mesco are both employment attorneys and experienced workplace invest…
- Ep. 3 - Hair Discrimination
In this episode, Paralegal Supervisor Christina Martinez tackles the topic of hair discrimination with Matt Tedeschi, Marketing Manager and an employment paralegal at the firm. Basing their discussion on a blog post Christina wrote and her…
- Ep. 2 - Why Should You Care about Employment Law?
Prinz attorneys and business counselors Kristen Prinz, Amit Bindra, and Christina Hynes Mesco hold an animated conversation on why you should care about employment law. They point out that employees themselves are concerned with what the l…
- Ep. 1 - Podcast Re-Launch
The signature podcast of The Prinz Law Firm has been rebranded and rebooted! Now known as "Making Work Better: Employment Law & Workplace Challenges," this podcast will continue to discuss leading issues in employment law, human resources,…
- Episode 7: How to Get an Attorney to Take Your Case (from the People Who Screen Their Calls)
In this episode of Tales from Around the Watercooler, Prinz staff describe how callers can best ensure their legal matters gets to an attorney. Paralegal (and former Intake Specialist) Marcet Crockett and current Intake Specialist Grace Mo…
- Episode 6: Political and Social Discussions in the Workplace
In this episode, Kristen chats with two of The Prinz Law Firm's Associate Attorneys, Poonam Lakhani and Elizabeth Hanford. They discuss a recent policy implemented by the tech company Basecamp that banned employees from discussing politica…