Law Office Manager

Managing staff

5 strategies for engaging millennials in the workforce

Temkin Group recently published a new research report, "Engaging Millennials in the Workplace," that identifies five strategies for engaging younger employees. Common estimates predict that the Millennial generation—those born between 1980 and 2000—will make up 60% of the workforce by 2020. As with each previous generation, this group of employees brings its own set of … [Read more...] about 5 strategies for engaging millennials in the workforce

Seattle office provides financial education for staff

"People aren't necessarily financially literate," says Ann S. Callahan, human resources manager for Helsell Fetterman, a 30-staff, 30-attorney firm in Seattle. Personal finance "is not something they learn in school." As an HR person and a long-time administrator of 401k plans, Callahan has seen "a wide range of ways people use their plans and how they don't use them." She … [Read more...] about Seattle office provides financial education for staff

Standing desks—Fad or functional?

You might want to stand up for this: "Sitting is the new smoking" says a recent study on the economic impact of reduced physical inactivity and sedentary behavior. Indeed, it's well documented that we are, essentially, sitting far too much, and for far too long. The results of this have been shown to be negatively affecting our health, and waistlines. Unfortunately, studies … [Read more...] about Standing desks—Fad or functional?

Manage client anger to avoid malpractice claims and bad publicity

Angry clients can be hard on the nerves. They can also be potential malpractice claims and probably bad PR for the law firm. But if you know how to respond to an unhappy client in a respectful and helpful manner, you may be able to turn that person into your firm’s biggest fan. Dealing with the angry client is an art. Dealing with the angry client is also a necessity. An … [Read more...] about Manage client anger to avoid malpractice claims and bad publicity

Here’s what to do when you suspect a staffer of drug or alcohol abuse

When the firm suspects a staffer of alcohol or drug abuse, an overriding concern is how to address the issue with that employee, says Jeffrey M. Schlossberg, a partner and chair of the employment law group at Ruskin Moscou Faltischek in Uniondale, NY. The wrong words can open the door to a discrimination claim. Don't mention the obvious Whenever there's suspicion of an … [Read more...] about Here’s what to do when you suspect a staffer of drug or alcohol abuse

Three errors that can cause wrongful termination problems

Though every employer knows – or should know – the rules for safe firing, mistakes still happen when it comes to showing an employee the door, says Peter Golden, a business and employment law attorney with The Golden Law Firm in Atlanta. In his own practice, he finds that employers most often fall down on three points: missed documentation, unfair employee comparisons, and … [Read more...] about Three errors that can cause wrongful termination problems

Pouter, wannabe boss, and ain’t-none-of-me and how to change them

Unacceptable behavior is never going to respond positively to negative statements such as “you have a bad attitude” or “you’re lazy.” Turn the conversation instead to what the behavior is, how it is affecting the other staff and the office, and how the manager and other staff see the staffer because of it. Then show alternative behaviors. But … [Read more...] about Pouter, wannabe boss, and ain’t-none-of-me and how to change them