With Valentine’s Day approaching, Work This Way spotlights one of HR’s trickiest but most common challenges: workplace romance. Maynard Nexsen employment attorney Bridget Blinn‑Spears joins hosts Tina and Jennie for a candid conversation on how employers can balance human nature with legal and cultural risks. They break down the potential consequences of undisclosed relationships, power imbalances, and blurred boundaries to illustrate how things can quickly go sideways. Employers will also hear insights on love contracts, disclosure policies, and best practices for organizations of all sizes, plus tips for handling relationships that overlap with reporting structures. Tune in for our Valentine’s episode now!

On this episode of Work This Way, Tina chats with fellow hosts and Maynard Nexsen attorneys Jennie Cluverius and Fay Edwards, along with a very special guest, Bing the pomsky, a service dog in training. Together, they break down what employers need to know about service animals, emotional‑support animals, and ADA accommodation requests in the workplace. From navigating the interactive process to understanding what qualifies as a true service animal, Jennie shares case examples, common misconceptions, and the challenges that arise when safety, allergies, or operational concerns come into play. Whether you’re an HR professional or employer trying to balance employee needs with compliance obligations, tune in to hear how you can navigate one of today’s most increasingly common workplace accommodation issues.

Employee speech has been making headlines after terminations tied to controversial comments sparked debates about free speech rights. In this episode of Work This Way, Maynard Nexsen attorney Andrew Kragie joins hosts Tina Emerson and Jennie Cluverius to break down the legal realities behind political speech at work. From First Amendment misconceptions to protections under the National Labor Relations Act, state laws, and anti-retaliation provisions, Andrew shares what employers need to know when navigating this complex issue. Tune in for important insights on creating policies, social media considerations, and balancing workplace harmony with compliance.