The legal field is expected to see steady hiring with litigation projected to yield the greatest job prospects. One-quarter of lawyers interviewed by Robert Half Legal predict that their law firms or companies will add legal jobs in the first half of 2017. This compares to 31 percent six months ago and 24 percent one year ago. Fifty-nine percent of lawyers said they plan to … [Read more...] about Litigation expected to drive hiring in first half of 2017
Managing staff
A surprising downside to merit-based promotions
A new study finds that the age gap between older workers and younger supervisors is linked to the frequency of emotions such as "anger, fear, and disgust" among older subordinates, and that more frequent negative emotions of this type are associated with lower company performance in areas such as financial results, growth, efficiency, and return on assets. This is in part due … [Read more...] about A surprising downside to merit-based promotions
8 work-saving email tips for busy office managers
Communicating via email saves time. Yes or no? If you're feeling overwhelmed by your inbox, your answer is likely to be no. The sheer volume makes it difficult to manage email which, despite the proliferation of other technologies such as social media and text messaging, continues to invade your electronic workspace daily. Today's office worker sends or receives an … [Read more...] about 8 work-saving email tips for busy office managers
How to handle the Christmas bonus
By Elizabeth M. Miller bio Do you know the Christmas movie classic National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation? Chevy Chase plays Clark Griswold, a corporate grunt who is so sure he will get a Christmas bonus that he puts down a non-refundable deposit on an in-ground swimming pool for his family. However, Griswold discovers on Christmas Eve—when his bonus arrives a few days later … [Read more...] about How to handle the Christmas bonus
Why your last hire failed and how to ensure success next time
It can be exasperating. After all that time spent interviewing and onboarding, your latest hire still didn't work out and now you find yourself facing the process all over again. Why? What happened? Well, according to recent research from Robert Half, aside from poor performance, failed hires are most likely a result of a mismatched skill set. Nearly four in 10 CFOs … [Read more...] about Why your last hire failed and how to ensure success next time
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