With the country's attention recently focused on the Ebola virus, many Americans likely overlooked the fact that flu season is well underway. And while it is impossible to predict how this flu season will compare to previous years, one thing is certain: Employers nationwide are likely to see millions of lost work days and billions of dollars in lost productivity. While the … [Read more...] about Forget Ebola—Here’s what you should be worrying about
Managing staff
How to make 2018 the year you improve value, cut costs, and increase profits
Are you prepared to handle the competition of 2016? Do you know who's elbowing in on your firm's share of the legal market? Are your firm's partners even aware that there's a risk? Ron Friedmann, a consultant with the legal industry-focused management consulting firm Fireman & Company, has spent over two decades improving law practice and legal business operations with … [Read more...] about How to make 2018 the year you improve value, cut costs, and increase profits
What every employee handbook absolutely, positively, must cover
No matter how small your firm may be, it needs an office manual. A manual is the authoritative source that explains what's expected of everybody. It's the firm's philosophy, and it's the rules and guidelines people have to follow. It is protection against employment law claims. And legalities aside, it prevents misunderstandings and hard feelings. Don't assume people … [Read more...] about What every employee handbook absolutely, positively, must cover
Paid time-off gives unquestioned days off plus a bank for catastrophes
The standard days-off policy has two downfalls, says the office manager of a professional office in North Carolina. One is that it isn't fair, because some people abuse the sick leave and turn it into extra vacation days. The other is that keeping track of how long each person has been out and for what is a nightmare. So the office manager moved to a paid time-off policy … [Read more...] about Paid time-off gives unquestioned days off plus a bank for catastrophes
Even law offices should think twice before going to court
By Steve M. Cohen bio One of the most difficult challenges I face can be helping office managers and owners or partners resist an urge to "fight it out" in court. There are times when it is necessary to take legal action or aggressively defend action against your organization. But in most cases, it should be your last resort. You may not win the fight … [Read more...] about Even law offices should think twice before going to court
Commonly misspelled words
We all have words that trip us up no matter how often we've spelled them. When you're asked to proofread or prepare documentation, know which words you have a problem with and always keep a current dictionary in book form or online) handy. It might be helpful to print off this list and post it above your desk for a quick reference. their … [Read more...] about Commonly misspelled words
Ten terrible typos
Here are some typos that made their way past a proofreader. 1. Consequently, the government is not obligated to show that a physician intended to violate the statue. 2. On the menu: calm chowder. 3. Power outrage covering the town. We will reopen as soon as it comes back on. 4. There is no inflict of interest. 5. Ask these employees to sever as mentors to other … [Read more...] about Ten terrible typos
Electronic cigarettes: why your firm needs a “vaping” policy now
Your employment policies address cigarettes, and so you think you have the smoking issue covered. Well, think again. Electronic cigarettes have created new challenges for employers. Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, first became available in the United States in 2006 and have grown in popularity. Designed to look like cigarettes, they are battery-powered … [Read more...] about Electronic cigarettes: why your firm needs a “vaping” policy now
New Jersey manager turns time clocks and layoffs into staff benefits
As the saying goes, "you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar." And a manager in a large legal practice in New Jersey did just that to avert disaster in two situations. The first potential disaster was the addition of a time clock. The practice merged with another group, and with the merger came the decision that all staff should keep the same hours. Before … [Read more...] about New Jersey manager turns time clocks and layoffs into staff benefits
Is firing employees for medical marijuana discrimination?
All 7 of the courts that have confronted this issue in the past decade have ruled that employers can enforce zero tolerance drug policies to fire employees for lawful use of medical marijuana. Here’s the rundown: 2013: COLORADO (Federal Court) What Happened: Brewery employee with hepatitis C, fired after testing positive for marijuana, claims use was legal under … [Read more...] about Is firing employees for medical marijuana discrimination?