By Brenda Barnes It’s that time of year again! We are often so busy in the last quarter of the year that many important items can get overlooked or pushed until another time. Here are 10 items you may want to give some of your attention to before end of year so you are ready to kick off 2024. Year-End Financial Planning: Review and analyze the firm's financial … [Read more...] about What is your end of year focus?
Compliance
Your interview notes could get you in trouble
By Dr. Steve M. Cohen bio Although workforce disasters usually make the headlines, there are a number of “basic” human resource tasks that should not be discounted. One is the job candidate interview. Theoretically, interviews should not be a problem. They’re a common occurrence, with no possible traps, right? After all, the candidate just wants the job and you are … [Read more...] about Your interview notes could get you in trouble
How to conduct a virtual investigation
By Lynne Curry bio Question: We have a messy situation we need to investigate involving 12 and possibly more employees at remote locations. Nine months ago, we laid off our human resources officer. The accounting manager and I inherited many of her duties. Both of us have investigated minor issues in each of our departments, and our former human resources officer left a … [Read more...] about How to conduct a virtual investigation
The duty to accommodate the religious beliefs of employees & job applicants
Federal and state laws ban employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of religion. Mere tolerance of religious differences in the workplace isn't enough to comply. Employers must also take affirmative steps to accommodate religious beliefs to the point of undue hardship. The EEOC is contending that the hospital's refusal to let the worker wear a mask instead … [Read more...] about The duty to accommodate the religious beliefs of employees & job applicants
Manage your law office’s holiday party liability risks
You may be hosting a big holiday party for your employees this December. And, like many law offices do, you may be serving liquor at that party. That's fine. Just make sure you understand what you're getting yourself into. Relax. We're not going to lecture you on the dangers of drinking and driving. No sense preaching to the choir. But what we can do to help you out is … [Read more...] about Manage your law office’s holiday party liability risks
EEOC proposes updated workplace harassment guidance to protect worker
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has proposed new guidance on harassment in the workplace. Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace was published in the federal register Oct. 2, and public comment period is closing Nov. 1. The EEOC first released a proposed guidance on workplace harassment for public comment in 2017, but it was not … [Read more...] about EEOC proposes updated workplace harassment guidance to protect worker
15 projects for the last quarter of the year
Running out of things to do? Just kidding. But in case you are, here are some projects to consider for the last quarter of the year. Financial Review and Budgeting: a. Review the year-to-date financial statements to assess the firm's financial health. b. Prepare a budget for the upcoming year, considering revenue, expenses, and capital investments. c. Ensure all client … [Read more...] about 15 projects for the last quarter of the year
What you should know about the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). The NPRM was posted by the Federal Register for public inspection on Aug. 7, 2023 and published in the Federal Register on Aug. 11, 2023. The NPRM is available at … [Read more...] about What you should know about the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
Create an effective disaster plan for your law office
Fires, floods, storms, earthquakes, power outages, or civil unrest: These and other disasters could endanger you and your employees as well as the continuation of your law office. As a law office manager, it is your responsibility to ensure that your office is well-prepared to handle various types of disasters, ranging from natural calamities to technological disruptions. … [Read more...] about Create an effective disaster plan for your law office
Non-compete agreements and deceiving your employer
By Lynne Curry Question: I was so stoked when the premier firm in my area of professional services hired me that I did something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I told my former manager what I thought of her. She ordered me to leave her company immediately. No problem, I had a new job to go to. I also had my entire future mapped out. I’d work for my new employer … [Read more...] about Non-compete agreements and deceiving your employer