By Catherine Jones bio Thanks to everyone who attended our webinar, “How to Build a Law Office Staff that Cares,” with Steve M. Cohen. The webinar recording is now available on the site, along with the presentation materials. One of the poll questions produced some results that I found particularly interesting. Question: What percentage of your current employees would you … [Read more...] about Have you built a law office staff that cares?
Managing staff
Model Tool: Conflict of Interest Policy for Romantically Involved Employees
Why you need this policy: A law firm's control over an employee doesn't normally extend to the employee's love life. But when a romance between co-workers affects the workplace and the law firm's business, it becomes an employment matter. This is most likely to happen when a relationship ends. You need to implement a Model Conflict of Interest Policy to protect your law firm … [Read more...] about Model Tool: Conflict of Interest Policy for Romantically Involved Employees
How can I rein in a runaway staff?
Question: The previous manager let staff get away with everything. I’m the new manager. How do I change the staff behavior? Answer: Take the bull by the horns. Hold a staff meeting and spell out the new expectations. Call them rules or call them pet peeves, but make it clear that everybody is expected to follow them. Cover all the items the previous manager let slide so staff … [Read more...] about How can I rein in a runaway staff?
How to end the jealousy when a sharp newcomer threatens the long timers
A tenet of management is that "people require care." And nowhere is that more evident than in the situation where a bright-eyed, eager, and well-qualified new staffer comes in—and threatens the long-term staffers. The cure is recognition, says Venus Opal Reese, PhD, a consultant for professional and business development. And it has to come fast, because left alone, the … [Read more...] about How to end the jealousy when a sharp newcomer threatens the long timers
What to do when a lawyer harasses staffers but no one complains
Question: One of our attorneys continuously makes inappropriate remarks to the staff. He thinks the remarks are funny. The staff don't complain, but what's said is obviously inappropriate. Everyone likes the lawyer, and the other lawyers want to keep him on staff. They have counselled with him, but he continues. What should we do? Answer: No office can afford to turn a blind … [Read more...] about What to do when a lawyer harasses staffers but no one complains
Model Tool: Sample dress code
Why you need this dress code: It would be nice if everyone understood what it means to be professional, but they don't. The reality is that staff often have to be taught how to behave. And part of being an administrator is teaching staff. How this dress code helps you: A written dress code is important, especially as business dress becomes more casual. If your firm doesn't have … [Read more...] about Model Tool: Sample dress code
How to help stressed-out employees
By Steve M. Cohen bio Stress is actually a good thing—until it overloads people. This overloaded situation is actually called "dis-stress." The ability to accommodate stress is inherent in all of us, but how much stress we can manage is a personal matter. Anxiety, resulting from stress overload is not a good thing in anyone's life. What every office manager must … [Read more...] about How to help stressed-out employees
How to get new staffers off to a strong start
Don’t lose the investment of a new hire to a lackadaisical orientation. Set the stage for success. Lay out what the firm expects in the job. The more clearly that’s communicated, the better the relationship and the more likely that person is to be successful. A good orientation assimilates the newcomer into the firm. What’s more, it makes people feel welcome so they stick … [Read more...] about How to get new staffers off to a strong start
One employee complaint can change your reality
By Steve M. Cohen bio Sometimes it's difficult to communicate to employers just how much federal and state law impact businesses and organizations when an employee makes a complaint. By this, I mean virtually any allegation, whether it's an accusation of sexual harassment, bullying or an alleged workplace safety hazard. It doesn't matter if you doubt the complaint or have … [Read more...] about One employee complaint can change your reality
Three ways to end three staff problems every manager hates
When you manage people, at some point you’re going to face an uncomfortable situation, such as co-worker with unacceptable body odor, a gossiper who’s poisoning the workplace, or a staff member who simply won’t acknowledge your authority. Here are some suggestions on how to deal with these people problems. The people problems need to be managed “before they occur and as they … [Read more...] about Three ways to end three staff problems every manager hates