To choose the right job candidate, look beyond the hard skills of education and experience and place heaviest emphasis on four soft skills. They are: the performance mindset willingness know-how personality Miss any of those four, and the hire is going to be a disaster, says business consultant, trainer, and coach Patrick Valtin, author of the book,"No-Fail … [Read more...] about 4 skills your next hire must have
Managing staff
Warm weather work attire
After a long, cold winter, who doesn’t look forward to a long, hot summer? For office managers, however, summer brings a new set of challenges, including what staff members wear to the office. Ah yes, warm weather work attire. Ultra-sheer blouses, midriff tops, plunging necklines, short skirts, shorts, and flip-flops. Whatever are they thinking? If you don’t have a summer … [Read more...] about Warm weather work attire
Associate salaries rise in some markets, but national median remains unchanged
The National Association for Law Placement (NALP) has released its 2017 Associate Salary Survey report, showing that the overall median first-year salary as of January 1, 2017, was $135,000, the same as in 2015, the year of the most recent previous survey—with both survey years reflecting response pools in which offices in firms of 251+ lawyers accounted for about 70 percent of … [Read more...] about Associate salaries rise in some markets, but national median remains unchanged
8 Traps to Avoid When Investigating a Sexual Harassment Complaint
Sexual harassment is a related problem that all employers must proactively address and prevent. While most managers are well aware of the need for sexual harassment policies, just having a policy isn't enough. If sexual harassment allegations arise, you need to know how to appropriately respond. Here are 8 potential mistakes your practice should be alert to and avoid making … [Read more...] about 8 Traps to Avoid When Investigating a Sexual Harassment Complaint
Discrimination at work: Prevalent yet subtle workplace bias erodes productivity and engagement
A recent study by VitalSmarts, a Top 20 Leadership Training Company, has found that more than a quarter (27 percent) of those who experience discrimination at work report the bias to be common, impactful, and beyond their ability to manage. The result of this triple threat of factors leads to frustration, stress, depression, and helplessness on the job. To measure the impact … [Read more...] about Discrimination at work: Prevalent yet subtle workplace bias erodes productivity and engagement
How to start a new job as the firm’s manager, not just as its top staffer
Advice to the new administrator: "The first few weeks of the job are very, very important and you have to use them well because you can't get them back." Using them well means establishing a professional management relationship with the partners, finding out what the partners expect of their administrator, and showing staff what's expected of them, says attorney T. Hensley … [Read more...] about How to start a new job as the firm’s manager, not just as its top staffer
Want to retain your top employees? Look to your exit interviews
According to the Employee Retention Report published by Work Institute, a leader in workforce intelligence, research and consulting, over 75% of the reasons employees leave their jobs could have been prevented by their employer. The recently released report reveals the truth about the employee marketplace, separates fact from fiction when it comes to why employees leave their … [Read more...] about Want to retain your top employees? Look to your exit interviews
5 ways to end generational stereotyping in your organization
By Dr. William A. Schiemann bio These days, the Millennial Generation is hyped, perhaps even more than Baby Boomers were hyped in the 1950s and 1960s. As I meet with executives around the globe, there is widespread confusion and misunderstanding about generational differences. This is creating stereotypes that are inappropriate, rarely true, and costing … [Read more...] about 5 ways to end generational stereotyping in your organization
When watercooler talk turns political, workplace productivity drops
Employees in the US find it increasingly difficult to ignore political discussions in their workplace, and 31% believe political conversations among coworkers decrease their company's productivity. Throughout February 2017, Clutch, a B2B ratings and reviews site, surveyed 1,000 full-time employees to evaluate their experience with political expression in the workplace and … [Read more...] about When watercooler talk turns political, workplace productivity drops
Is one lawyer putting your firm at risk of a social media firefight?
By Lynne Curry, Ph.D, SPHR bio Consider this scenario: One of your firm's most successful attorneys is also one of the most abrasive individuals you've met. He doubles down whenever he gets into any kind of skirmish, no matter who it's with—a client, an employee, or even someone on the street. You've tried for years to get this "Darth Vader" to change. No such luck. … [Read more...] about Is one lawyer putting your firm at risk of a social media firefight?