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
Employee benefits
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
Food for thought
Editor's picks: Wellness is a staff benefit and a productivity builder 17 benefits that employees like and the firm can afford From ready dinners to errand helpers, Georgia firm supports families … [Read more...] about Food for thought
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
Employer Checklist: Affordable Care Act
Why you need this checklist: The numerous provisions and requirements of the ACA can be overwhelming for employers. How this checklist helps you: This checklist will help you understand and manage employee benefits requirements. How to use this checklist: Refer to this checklist as needed to comply with ACA employee benefits requirements. … [Read more...] about Employer Checklist: Affordable Care Act
3 proven ways to make firing easier on everyone
1 Do it Friday afternoon While some human resources experts say firing is best done in the middle of the week, most recommend doing it on Friday afternoon. That time is best for the office, because it lessens the possibility that the person will set up a support group in the hours immediately following. It also eliminates the possibility that the person will stay around and … [Read more...] about 3 proven ways to make firing easier on everyone
How the Affordable Care Act affects your office policies and practices
You’ve heard a lot of talk about Obamacare, officially known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA). But do you know how how ACA affects your office as an employer? The ACA imposes new obligations on employers. Some of these are already in effect and are continuing obligations you should be satisfying, but others don't kick in until next year or later. Review our summary of the key … [Read more...] about How the Affordable Care Act affects your office policies and practices
Surveying for rewards
To encourage job satisfaction throughout the office, Matthew J. Bower, administrator at Luhrsen Law Group in Sarasota, surveyed staff to find out what specific types of rewards they wanted to see in their jobs. The firm had always given rewards, and they ran the gamut from plaques to cash to time off to gift certificates. But over the years, what Bower found was that the … [Read more...] about Surveying for rewards
How to assess what training your staff needs
There are many factors contributing to the ongoing need for training in organizations, such as the growing use of technology and the disappearance of law libraries and word processing departments. On top of that, due to technology, law firms are leaning towards a ratio of one paralegal or legal assistant to anywhere from two to eight attorneys, increasing the staff's … [Read more...] about How to assess what training your staff needs
Model Policy: Reduced schedule and flexible work arrangements
Why you need this policy: Once upon a time, the belief was that an individual could be an attorney or a primary caregiving parent but not both. Attitudes—and laws—have changed this thinking and opened the door to all kinds of flexible work arrangements allowing attorneys to balance their professional and parental obligations. How this policy helps you: Every law office needs a … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Reduced schedule and flexible work arrangements