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Posted By
Kristen Prinz
Change happens fast. And often when we least expect it. That’s one of the reasons we see so much job turnover. Companies typically forecast and plan ahead. Executives do so for their departments, but what about their careers? Too many individuals think they are just along for the ride. I remember listening to an economist on the radio discussing why any individual with a high income potential ...
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Posted By
The Prinz Law Firm
I have a good friend who is a strong and effective communicator in person. When it comes to email, however, she is downright rude. Sometimes her emails cross well into nasty territory. We have worked together on charitable boards and I have seen first-hand how alienating her email correspondence can be. It was through working with her that I learned my number one communication rule: Tough ...
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Posted By
Amit Bindra
Starting a new business is an exciting – but difficult and expensive – process. While it is important for small and new businesses to be cost conscious, there are three contracts that are essential for EVERY small business, and these contracts won’t break the bank. An Operating Agreement (or a Founders/Partnership Agreement ) is critical for every business, regardless of how small. An operating ...
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Posted By
Amit Bindra
When a business first starts hiring employees, workplace policies are not typically a business owner’s first concern. The primary concern is making sure the employee knows how to get the job done. Hopefully, a job description is well thought out and at least some training is provided. Even though it’s not usually the first concern, having workplace policies is a critical risk management measure ...
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Posted By
Poonam Lakhani
Employment laws are in a constant state of fluctuation. For example, in 2017 alone the City of Chicago and Cook County implemented ordinances requiring mandatory sick leave, minimum wage in Chicago increased to $11 per hour, Illinois amended its leave of absence laws to allow sick leave to be taken for family members, and non-compete agreements were restricted for low wage employees. Keeping track ...
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Posted By
Christina Hynes Mesco
Take a minute and glance at your text messages, peruse social media, review your emails (both professional and personal). It’s almost certain that you’ll find little emojis littered throughout an otherwise dry or short communique. Emojis, or those little digital images formerly known as “emoticons,” were born in order to help provide more meaning and tone to the unfeeling landscape that is our ...
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Posted By
Kristen Prinz
We’ve all seen the results from numerous studies finding that diversity – be it gender, ethnic, racial, and/or cultural diversity – has impressive business benefits. [1] We know from the McKinsey Study that companies in the top quartile for racial and ethnic diversity are 35% more likely to have returns above national industry medians. At first glance, it seems that companies are recognizing and ...
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Posted By
Amit Bindra
When you leave a job to start a new position, you are hoping to look forward instead of having to deal with issues with your former employer. To avoid legal problems, it is important to understand some of your post-employment obligations. Many employees sign employment agreements that contain non-compete or non-solicitation clauses. These clauses prohibit soliciting clients and employees from your ...
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Posted By
The Prinz Law Firm
Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe working environment for their employees. This includes eliminating sexual harassment. Prevention is critical, and employers can offer sexual harassment training and provide effective complaint or grievance filing processes to discourage sexual harassment. But what actually counts as sexual harassment in the workplace? Generally, offhand comments, ...
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Posted By
The Prinz Law Firm
The Prinz Law Firm is thrilled to announce our very own Attorney Kristen Prinz has been recognized as one of 2017’s Most Influential Women Lawyers in Chicago, according to Crain’s Chicago Business. This incredible honor highlights Attorney Prinz’s sincere dedication to her clients, colleagues, and community. Recognized amongst 60 women, this award is only distributed to women lawyers who were ...
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Posted By
The Prinz Law Firm
According to Emily Lonigro of LimeRed Studio , the answer is yes. Being a certified B Corp requires a business to look at its environmental, community, and employee impact. That focus is contrary to the traditional model of business where shareholder value is the only measurement that matters. Although she originally went after the certification because she believed in promoting a social purpose ...
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Posted By
The Prinz Law Firm
It’s not that uncommon for employees to sue their employers, particularly if they have recently been fired. However, different people will have different motivations for doing so. We’ve assembled the top reasons workers decide to sue their employees, whether the reason is valid in the eyes of the employer or not. Poor Treatment You may not feel like every employee needs to be treated like royalty, ...
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Posted By
The Prinz Law Firm
Illinois is one of the most socially progressive states in the nation. It has been at the forefront of LGBT human rights for years, including adding protections in its Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA) for LGBT individuals. In 2006, Illinois added “sexual orientation” to the state’s non-discrimination statute, which protects LGBT individuals from employment discrimination based on their sexual ...
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Posted By
The Prinz Law Firm
Myth # 1: The # 1 myth that STILL persists out there is the one that says "if I just work hard enough" or "if I just do a good enough job" ... Then I'll get noticed, promoted, a raise, a larger team, more responsibilities, the big project, a bigger budget, etc. Working harder doesn't get you ahead. It's working on the right things, cultivating the right relationships and making sure those who can ...
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Posted By
The Prinz Law Firm
1. What are the differences between the Cook County and Chicago Earned/Paid Sick Leave Ordinances? The Ordinances are virtually identical - the largest exception being references to location (City of Chicago versus Cook County) of applicability. If an employer complies with the Cook County Ordinance, it has also complied with the City Ordinance. An employee seeking relief from a local ...
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Posted By
Kristen Prinz
One of the most powerful coaching questions I ask executive women is “What’s enough?” It normally stops them in their tracks. These women are used to defining ‘enough’ as EVERYTHING! They are used to getting A+s all through school and now expect the same of themselves throughout their career. So what happens when “everything” becomes impossible to accomplish? Guilt, depression, stress, anxiety and ...
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Posted By
The Prinz Law Firm
If you were discriminated against in the workplace and took action or reported illegal conduct on the part of your employer, the law prohibits your employer from retaliating against you. Despite this protection, many employers still seek to punish employees who stand up for their rights and, surprisingly, more than a third of discrimination charges filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity ...
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Posted By
The Prinz Law Firm
Women have experienced a long history of being treated unfairly in the workplace due to pregnancy and, in an effort to combat this unfair practice, federal, state and local laws have been passed. Pregnant and post-natal residents of Illinois are protected by the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) and the Illinois Pregnancy Accommodation amendments to the Illinois Human Rights Act (IPA). ...
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Posted By
The Prinz Law Firm
As an executive recruiter, the number one complaint about recruiters is that they don’t return emails or phone calls, sometimes at all. It’s a valid frustration and I admittedly have let the ball drop during my career now and again (horrible I know)! I am sure if you are reading this, you probably have too (let’s be honest). I have seen an increase in poor communication in business dealings over ...
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Posted By
The Prinz Law Firm
My husband complains that I am too focused on reading between the lines when it comes to communications with extended family members. I believe it’s a side effect of my job, but maybe it’s what attracted me to law in the first place. When someone mentions how busy I am, I assume they really mean that I’m too focused on work and not being a good enough mom, wife, sister, daughter, etc. Logically, I ...
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Posted By
Kristen Prinz
I’m really sick of reading how women need to change our tone or our style or our language, or anything for that matter, in negotiations. In honor of International Women’s Day earlier this week, I want to call out a bogus stereotype, that women are bad negotiators. Some of the best negotiators I know are women. And, I would bet that almost any man who is married to a woman would agree. Growing up, ...
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Posted By
The Prinz Law Firm
As an expecting woman in the workplace, you are already likely dealing with the challenges associated with the pregnancy process, such as morning sickness, frequent doctor’s visits, and discomfort. Having your rights violated by your employer should not have to be a concern of yours as you prepare to welcome a child into the world. Federal and Illinois laws can help you remain healthy, ensure that ...
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Posted By
The Prinz Law Firm
When a company experiences a change in control, employees will likely begin feeling uneasy because of the unknowns. Change is inevitable and any successful company will need to be adequately prepared when a shift does occur. Changes of control often involve one of the following: Mergers Acquisitions Sale of assets Transitional events During these types of changes, the individuals whose hard work ...
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Posted By
The Prinz Law Firm
Oracle America, Inc. is being sued by the Department of Labor over allegations that it pays white men more than its equivalent female, African American and Asian employees. The lawsuit also alleges that Oracle discriminates against non-Asian applicants in its hiring practices, and favors hiring Asian employees for technical roles. The lawsuit is related to Oracle’s federal contracts. Federal ...
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Posted By
The Prinz Law Firm
The Prinz Law Firm is proud to announce that four of our attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2017 Super Lawyers ® Illinois Rising Stars ℠ list. Super Lawyers is a trusted legal rating service that recognizes attorneys who have repeatedly demonstrated an exceptional professional ability and who have been recognized by their peers. This honor is earned by less than 2.5% of Illinois ...
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Posted By
The Prinz Law Firm
Starting a new business is undoubtedly a stressful ordeal. As a budding entrepreneur, you want to ensure that you’re putting your best foot forward in setting up your business for success. One of the most common questions small business owners contend with is the decision on whether they need a business lawyer. Because some business owners are under the perception that attorneys charge high rates, ...
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Posted By
The Prinz Law Firm
Hiring an employment lawyer can be extremely beneficial, even for the most conscientious employer. Regardless of how much care and thought an employer puts into avoiding legal issues, sometimes the unexpected may occur and an employer may find him or herself in need of legal assistance. With employment laws rapidly changing and government agencies issuing new legislations, it’s not hard to ...
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