By Steve M. Cohen bio I have worked closely with two organizations: The Transgender Institute (TTI) and the Gender Policy Associates (GPA). TTI is an organization that provides therapy, consultation and coaching to transgender people. This is a population that is much misunderstood. In schools they are subject to extensive bullying; at work, they are often … [Read more...] about When a transgender employee comes out at work, how will you respond?
Managing staff
Model Policy: Jewelry and tattoos
Why you need this policy: This model jewelry and tattoos policy establishes guidelines for staff wearing jewelry or displaying tattoos. How this policy helps you: This policy recognizes the value of personal self-expression and establishes parameters for when personal appearance enhanced by jewelry or tattoos exceeds appropriate and reasonable workplace limits. How to use … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Jewelry and tattoos
Tattoos and piercings: what’s your policy?
If ink and body jewelry seem more prevalent than they once were, it's not your imagination. Tattoos and piercings have become commonplace, especially among people of a certain age. Consider these numbers from Statistics Brain, a website that aggregates research data. Taking into account all age groups, 23 percent of American women and 19 percent of American men have one or … [Read more...] about Tattoos and piercings: what’s your policy?
The link between employee communications and your firm’s reputation
As a whole, American workers rate their employers' reputations favorably, with over two-thirds of employed Americans rating their employer's reputation as good (67%). One-quarter feel their company has a neutral reputation (25%) and just 2% see their employers as having a bad reputation. More good news for U.S. employers comes in the form of seven in ten (69%) working … [Read more...] about The link between employee communications and your firm’s reputation
Help staff protect their families against dangers of fireworks
The Fourth of July is a time for celebration—and beautiful fireworks displays! Share these tips with your staff to help them keep their families safe while they celebrate this special weekend. As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, ophthalmologists—medical doctors who treat eye disease and conditions—are preparing for an influx of patients who are injured each year while … [Read more...] about Help staff protect their families against dangers of fireworks
Double standards never work at work
By Steve M. Cohen bio An excessively harsh and arbitrary management style is rarely a good idea, but when it's directed at one employee or even one group of employees it's guaranteed to be a problem. I dealt with one manager who frequently resorted to a style that was harsh, arbitrary and capricious behavior when dealing with one employee. The worker was … [Read more...] about Double standards never work at work
EEOC proposes rules for employer wellness programs to avoid potential discrimination
As the focus on quality and value intensifies, wellness programs will no doubt play an integral role in the health care system. The 2014 Employer Health Benefits Survey from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation reports that "[v]irtually all large employers (200 or more workers) and most smaller employers offer at least one wellness program." Furthermore, the survey indicates … [Read more...] about EEOC proposes rules for employer wellness programs to avoid potential discrimination
Solutions to 3 people problems: performance, raises, and rude clients
Here are three common people-management problems and their solutions. The first two deal with managing staff; the third deals with managing clients. #1: Lousy performance People problem #1. How to address poor performance in such a way that the outcome is improvement, not firing. The obvious answer is to meet with the staffer, explain the problem, and tell how to correct … [Read more...] about Solutions to 3 people problems: performance, raises, and rude clients
Wearables at work: Leveraging technology to enhance work performance, engagement and balance
By Dr. Marty Martin bio Wearable technology is hot! Wearable tech is also increasingly becoming cool and fashionable. Professional athletes and weekend warriors are outfitting themselves with devices to measure their heart rate, blood pressure, count their steps and calories, as well as track the quality of their sleep. With the health and performance of their … [Read more...] about Wearables at work: Leveraging technology to enhance work performance, engagement and balance
10 tips to manage employee leave
The environment for leave management has become increasingly complex. The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and employee awareness of rights under these laws and others have made managing leave while remaining in legal and regulatory compliance more difficult than even. Terri Rhodes, executive director of the Disability Management … [Read more...] about 10 tips to manage employee leave