Law Office Manager

Managing staff

Holiday gift-giving guide: office edition

To gift or not to gift at work? That is the question many employees ask during the holiday season. In a survey from staffing firm Accountemps, the majority of human resources (HR) managers said it is acceptable for employees and managers to exchange presents in the office. Sixty-three percent of respondents noted it's appropriate for supervisors to give their staff a holiday … [Read more...] about Holiday gift-giving guide: office edition

The new overtime rules are put on hold. What does that mean for you?

By Mike O'Brien  bio As most of you know by now, I'm sure, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) has finalized a new Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) rule that, among other things, raises the minimum salary threshold required to qualify for a "white collar" overtime pay exemption to $47,476 per year, which is $913 per week. This basically doubles the minimum salary … [Read more...] about The new overtime rules are put on hold. What does that mean for you?

5 trust account errors that will get a firm in trouble

By Elizabeth M. Miller  bio There have been recent reports of law firm trust accounts being involved in money laundering. Maintaining and managing a trust account is regulated by local bar rules. The main reason for this is that the funds do not belong to the firm. Trust monies are client funds deposited with a law firm intended to be used for the benefit of the client. I … [Read more...] about 5 trust account errors that will get a firm in trouble

This year’s craziest excuses for calling in sick

While calling in sick, when you are feeling just fine, is not a new phenomenon in the office, fewer workers say they have done it over the last 12 months, says a recently released survey from CareerBuilder. Slightly more than a third of workers (35 percent) said they have called in to work sick when they were feeling just fine, down from 38 percent last year. More than 3,100 … [Read more...] about This year’s craziest excuses for calling in sick

A self evaluation plus a quiz on the handbook

A New Jersey office has increased staff morale as well as performance with an online self evaluation survey. And along with that, it’s working to ensure all the staff know all the rules by setting up an online handbook quiz. First, the self-evaluation survey Michele Adams,  office manager for Powers Kirn in Moorestown, NJ, began the self evaluation surveying a few months after … [Read more...] about A self evaluation plus a quiz on the handbook

Survey: Most workers happy with managers but don’t want the role themselves

Many employees like their bosses, but managers still have much work to do, according to new research from staffing firm Accountemps. Nearly two in three workers (64 percent) said they are happy with their supervisors, and another 29 percent are somewhat happy with their bosses. Only eight percent of workers give their manager a thumbs down. Yet, despite generally positive … [Read more...] about Survey: Most workers happy with managers but don’t want the role themselves

Hold an open house and keep clients happy and referrals flowing

An open house can be effective for maintaining existing clients and keeping the referral sources sending the referrals. It makes people feel at home and get a feel for what the firm does. But an open house takes marketing skill. Success depends on where it's held, the hellos and goodbyes, the food and even what everyone wears. The when and where of it all The day: The … [Read more...] about Hold an open house and keep clients happy and referrals flowing

Should you put a lid on political talk in the office?

The current presidential campaign is certainly intriguing. Who doesn't have an opinion about a recent rally, debate, or OpEd? No doubt your staff members do. But do you want them to voice these opinions at the office? With political sentiments high—and getting higher—one issue that managers face is how to keep the discussions between staff members from becoming heated to the … [Read more...] about Should you put a lid on political talk in the office?

Pop Quiz: How well do you understand the new FLSA overtime rules?

Sandra Hoyle-Smith, SPHR of B2 Management & Consulting recently gave a webinar to Law Office Manager subscribers outlining the new FLSA (Fair Labor Standard's Act) overtime rules and how these changes will affect law office staff. What's changing Effective December 1, 2016, the minimum salary level for non-exempt employees is increasing. What this means for law firms is … [Read more...] about Pop Quiz: How well do you understand the new FLSA overtime rules?