Coming up in 2025, there are several important employment law changes that managers should be aware of: Overtime Pay Threshold Increase: The Department of Labor (DOL) is expected to increase the salary threshold for overtime pay eligibility. Starting in early 2025, employees earning under $58,656 per year (up from $35,568) may become eligible for overtime pay under … [Read more...] about Get Ready for Employment Law Updates Coming in 2025
Risk management
HR question: Political gear at work
By Lynne Curry Question: Our problems started in September. Four guys in the warehouse started wearing Camo “Make American Great Again” hats. Two weeks later, they installed in a handmade sign inside the warehouse door that said, “This is Trump Country.” It didn’t bother anyone, or so we thought. But apparently it did. Ten days later, two women in the accounting … [Read more...] about HR question: Political gear at work
Protect your firm from ethical risks with an effective conflict checking process
Conflict checking is a crucial process for a law office manager, ensuring that the firm avoids any conflicts of interest that could jeopardize client trust or violate legal ethics. Here’s a breakdown of how to manage the conflict checking process efficiently: 1. Understand the Importance of Conflict Checking Conflict checks help ensure that the law firm … [Read more...] about Protect your firm from ethical risks with an effective conflict checking process
Sample Policy: Halloween Costumes
Creating a policy for dressing up for Halloween in a law office is important to ensure that employees maintain professionalism while still having the opportunity to enjoy the holiday. Here's a suggested policy: [Law Office Name] Halloween Dress-Up Policy Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to allow employees to participate in Halloween festivities while maintaining a … [Read more...] about Sample Policy: Halloween Costumes
Model Client Engagement Letter
Why you need this Model Engagement Letter: An engagement letter is protection—for both the firm and the client. It prevents argument on what the firm is expected to do for the client and what the client is expected to do for the firm. So it needs to be clear, brief, and readable. How this Model Engagement Letter helps you: Use this Model Engagement Letter to educate your … [Read more...] about Model Client Engagement Letter
The 6 essentials to include in your Business Continuity Plan to help your firm survive a disaster
By Elizabeth M. Miller bio The first thing you might be wondering is why do I need a business continuity plan? With technology being what it is today, I bet every lawyer and law firm think they have a "business continuity plan" in place already. A business continuity or contingency plan will allow a law firm to have daily access to client information, financial … [Read more...] about The 6 essentials to include in your Business Continuity Plan to help your firm survive a disaster
This is not a drill: Preparing for and responding to crises
Unexpected events can disrupt operations and jeopardize client relationships. Whether it's a natural disaster, a data breach, or a key staff member's sudden departure, the ability to respond effectively is crucial. As a law office manager, your role in crisis management is pivotal. Let's explore how to create a comprehensive crisis management plan, handle emergencies with … [Read more...] about This is not a drill: Preparing for and responding to crises
Model Policy: Workplace violence and office security
It has become imperative, and in many states a legal requirement, that employers implement programs to prevent violence at the workplace. The centerpiece of the prevention effort is to adopt a written policy on workplace violence. … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Workplace violence and office security
Model Policy: Employee resignation
Establishing a formal policy for employee resignation will help ensure that staff transitions go smoothly; the firm treats employees fairly and consistently; and legal requirements are followed. … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Employee resignation
Our staff fell for a cyber attack
By Lynne Curry Question: Four of our staffers fell for a cyber attack last week. They opened an email attachment they thought originated from our HR department, which regularly emails policy updates to all staff. This email had the subject line: Changes to Vacation Policies. Even though we’ve trained our staff members not to click on suspicious emails, and … [Read more...] about Our staff fell for a cyber attack