By Lynne Curry Question: When our newly hired general manager pulled me into his office this morning, he asked me to fire a staff member, an individual I know well and who’s always impressed me as a hard worker. I run our company’s HR department. I asked, “Could you give me the details, so I can create a solid case for our file?” The GM, a fifty-something white man … [Read more...] about Do I Fire A Staffer Who Doesn’t Deserve It?
Compliance
Navigating Legal Risks in Return-to-Office Mandates
By Lynne Curry As employers push forward with their return-to-office (RTO) policies, many unknowingly step into legal minefield. The shift back to in-person work presents a host of challenges—especially for employers balancing productivity with legal obligations. Whether it’s handling accommodation requests, avoiding discrimination claims, or ensuring compliance with … [Read more...] about Navigating Legal Risks in Return-to-Office Mandates
Preventing Workplace Harassment: Policies Every Law Office Needs
Introduction Workplace harassment is a serious issue that can disrupt your law office, damage morale, and expose your firm to legal risks. As a law office manager, it’s your responsibility to implement and enforce strong policies that protect employees and create a safe, professional work environment. Here are the essential policies every law office should … [Read more...] about Preventing Workplace Harassment: Policies Every Law Office Needs
Office Policy & HR Compliance Checklist
Maintaining a well-structured office policy and ensuring HR compliance is essential for a law office to operate smoothly and legally. This checklist serves as a comprehensive guide to help law office managers stay on top of critical HR responsibilities, from updating employee handbooks to ensuring compliance with employment laws. By following these steps, you can create a more … [Read more...] about Office Policy & HR Compliance Checklist
Regularly review your vendor contracts for cost savings and compliance
In the fast-paced and detail-oriented environment of a law office, maintaining efficiency and cost-effectiveness is paramount. One critical yet often overlooked aspect of this is the periodic review of vendor contracts. Regularly reassessing these agreements can have significant benefits, from cost savings to risk management. Here’s why and how law office managers should make … [Read more...] about Regularly review your vendor contracts for cost savings and compliance
End-of-Year Compliance Review Checklist
As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time for law office administrators to take stock of compliance practices and ensure the firm is on solid ground heading into the new year. From trust accounting to CLE compliance, a thorough review can help identify any overlooked details, maintain regulatory standards, and set a strong foundation for the months ahead. Use this … [Read more...] about End-of-Year Compliance Review Checklist
Get Ready for the 8 Top Compliance Challenges Coming in 2025
With new regulations, evolving technology, and increased scrutiny from both clients and regulators, 2025 is poised to bring a fresh set of hurdles for you to navigate. Being proactive and prepared can save your firm from potential pitfalls. Let’s explore the eight top compliance challenges on the horizon and how you can tackle them effectively. 1. … [Read more...] about Get Ready for the 8 Top Compliance Challenges Coming in 2025
Exploring the Four-Day Workweek: A Map for Law Office Administrators
As the conversation around workplace flexibility continues to evolve, the four-day workweek is gaining attention across various industries, including the legal sector. There have been some developments in the United States regarding the potential shift to a four-day workweek, but no widespread changes to federal employment laws have been enacted … [Read more...] about Exploring the Four-Day Workweek: A Map for Law Office Administrators
Staff training quiz: Managing client funds
Questions: What are client trust accounts used for in a law office? a) Personal savings of the attorneys b) Holding and managing client funds for legal matters c) Paying office expenses d) Making personal investments True or False: Client funds should always be kept separate from the law firm's operating funds. When should client funds be deposited into the trust … [Read more...] about Staff training quiz: Managing client funds
Get Ready for Employment Law Updates Coming in 2025
Coming up in 2025, there are several important employment law changes that managers should be aware of: Overtime Pay Threshold Increase: The Department of Labor (DOL) is expected to increase the salary threshold for overtime pay eligibility. Starting in early 2025, employees earning under $58,656 per year (up from $35,568) may become eligible for overtime pay under … [Read more...] about Get Ready for Employment Law Updates Coming in 2025