In this episode, Matt Steinberg welcomes renowned legal scholar and University of Chicago Law Professor, Eric Posner. Professor Posner and Matt discuss the increasingly important intersection between antitrust and employment law, particularly in the context of mergers and acquisitions, the various types of antitrust causes of action which can be asserted in employment-related litigation, and other topical questions surrounding the geographic concentration of our economy’s labor markets. A renowned author of numerous books and articles, Professor Posner previously made an appearance on our podc ..read more

Matt Steinberg welcomes Dos Toros’ Chief Human Resources Officer Aleta Maxwell to discuss the rapidly expanding “fast casual” restaurant’s employee-first culture, and how that unique culture works to customers’ benefit. Matt and Aleta also explore a critical question companies in every industry face: how to maintain a fun, engaging culture while also scaling the business. Finally, Matt and Aleta chat about DT’s philanthropic efforts within its communities (including a commitment to recruiting and retaining workers with criminal histories), broader legal issues facing the hospitality industry ..read more

In this episode, Matt Steinberg welcomes Magistrate Judge Sidney I. Schenkier of the Northern District of Illinois, who provides insightful perspectives on effective advocacy, litigation trends, best practices for employers to avoid employment litigation and/or to persuasively defend an employment litigation, why “reasonableness sells” and preparation is always paramount in his Courtroom. Judge Schenkier also discusses his own journey to the federal bench, and his important and pioneering work with post-incarceration re-entry programs. http://www.akerman.com/podcasts/disclaimer/workedup.html ..read more

In this episode, Matt Steinberg welcomes Executive Coach Deanna Senior, PhD. As a follow-up to our last WorkedUp episode about mental health and work, in this wide-ranging conversation, Matt and Deanna discuss organizational behavior psychologists’ increasingly important role in today’s workplaces. Deanna weighs in on the value of having “career conversations” with employees at every level within an organization (hint: these are different than performance evaluations), how to best identify key performers and provide them with highly personalized coaching, the benefit of full 360-degree feedbac ..read more

In this important and topical episode, Matt Steinberg welcomes Meg George, the head of Akerman’s Wellness Initiative and Akerman’s Chicago Office Managing Partner for an honest conversation about society’s collective mental health at and surrounding work, why it is imperative for employers to better educate and train their employees on mental health issues, the importance of fostering employee engagement, and how, in our increasingly frenetic lives, we can all develop and sustain healthy habits. http://www.akerman.com/podcasts/disclaimer/workedup.html ..read more

Matt Steinberg welcomes back his Akerman New York colleague Ray Berti to discuss recent economic, social, and legal developments in the gig economy, including new NLRB and DOL guidance suggesting gig workers are not protected by traditional employment and labor laws; millennials' and Gen Zers' potential preference for (or aversion to) gig work; and whether the predictions that gigging is the "future of work" actually have any merit. http://www.akerman.com/podcasts/disclaimer/workedup.html ..read more

Matt welcomes Ed Trissel, partner at corporate communications firm Joele Frank, to discuss effective employer strategies and best practices for communicating with your employees during the midst of an employment-related or other business crisis (for example, when an employment lawsuit or situation has gone or is about to go viral). They also discuss how social media/Twitter underscores the need for authentic and disciplined crisis management strategies and how consumers are increasingly making purchasing decisions based upon reports of how companies/brands treat their employees. http://www.a ..read more

Matt welcomes Hawaii State Representative, Chris Lee, who helped pass the first state law in support of universal basic income (“UBI”). Whether you are for or against it, the concept of UBI is straightforward – it is the idea that the government gives every person an unconditional cash payment to spend as they wish. It is viewed by some politicians and business leaders from across the political spectrum as a possible solution to poverty, underemployment, wage stagnation, and automation. But do the pros outweigh the cons? If so, is UBI even politically viable? How would it be funded? In their ..read more

In this “flash pod,” Leanne Reagan updates Matt on yesterday’s surprise amendments to the House’s tax bill and the Senate’s release of its own proposed bill. http://www.akerman.com/podcasts/disclaimer/workedup.html ..read more

Amidst seemingly endless sexual harassment headlines, Matt Steinberg welcomes EEOC Commissioner, Chai Feldblum, to discuss the "Superstar Harasser" epidemic. The discussion will explore what companies can do to prevent and address harassment in the workplace, innovative ideas and best practices for authentic employment training, building a corporate culture of "shared responsibility," and the debate surrounding the use of nondisclosure provisions in settlement agreements. http://www.akerman.com/podcasts/disclaimer/workedup.html ..read more