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Home » Managing staff
EMPLOYEE RETENTION

Create work schedules that keep your hourly staff happy

May 30, 2023 by

While scheduling may appear as a routine task, its importance in retaining hourly employees cannot be overlooked. A well-designed and thoughtful scheduling system can lead to increased job satisfaction, higher productivity, and improved staff retention rates. In this article, we will delve into why scheduling is vital and explore strategies for effective scheduling, for staffers that might include legal secretaries, paralegals, legal assistants, personal assistants, records clerks, receptionists, tech support, cleaners, drivers and others, depending on the size and structure of your law office. Stability and predictability Consistency and predictability in scheduling are vital for retaining hourly employees in a law office. By establishing stable work schedules, you demonstrate respect for your employees’ time and commitment to their work-life balance. Hourly employees often face challenges in balancing personal and professional… . . . read more

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RISK MANAGEMENT

Workplace political discussions: Strategies for handling what’s coming

May 29, 2023 by

By Lynne Curry Employees care deeply about abortion, gun control, immigration, the uptick in crime, climate change, and other issues that affect their freedom, wallets, and quality of life. As a result, even seemingly innocuous comments concerning news events can escalate into bitter, emotionally charged workplace arguments that alienate coworkers and customers, damage relationships, and negatively impact morale. Here are the facts: More than half (52 percent) of U.S. employees report that sharing their political opinions with coworkers can harm working relationships and negatively affect team productivity, https://www.hibob.com/blog/politics-at-work/. Two out of every five employees (40 percent) report feeling negatively toward their boss or coworkers after discussing political views, https://buddypunch.com/blog/handle-political-discussions-workplace/. One out of every five (20 percent) employees report their coworkers treat them poorly because of their political views, https://www.shrm.org/about-shrm/press-room/press-releases/pages/shrm-study-reveals-20-percent-of-workers-mistreated-due-to-political-views.aspx. Research outlined in… . . . read more

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MANAGING STAFF

How to handle a scamming, scheming staffer

May 26, 2023 by

By Lynne Curry Question: I run a small firm. When I advertised for a new hire, I didn’t find anyone who had the right skill set. “Will” applied. Although he lacked the skills I sought, he interviewed well and said he was willing to learn everything necessary to become my No. 1 employee. I took a chance on him and invested months in training him. He shadowed me, developed rapport with my key clients, and learned strategies I’d spent 20 years developing. We had one skirmish. When he found out how much I was paying his predecessor, he lobbied fiercely for a raise. Although his work didn’t justify the salary I was already paying him, he had good natural talent and I didn’t want to start over with a new… . . . read more

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YOUR CAREER

‘I’m a threat to my boss because I’m smarter’

May 24, 2023 by

By Lynne Curry Over the years of your career, you may have found yourself on both sides of the following situation, first as a bright young staff member and later as a manager dealing with a brash new employee. Question: I am a threat to my supervisor. It’s not my fault, but it may cost me my job. Things were going well between my supervisor and I until last month. In an all-hands meeting, the CEO called on me, saying, “I know who can answer that question. Michael, can you explain it to everyone?” After I finished answering the question, I saw my supervisor’s face, and knew I’d pay a price for being called on. She’s been difficult to deal with ever since. She either ignores or jabs at me… . . . read more

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The power of emotional intelligence: A guide for law office managers

May 23, 2023 by

In today’s dynamic healthcare environment, the role of a law office manager is more challenging than ever. Not only do you need to efficiently manage the administrative tasks, but you also play a crucial role in maintaining a positive work environment and fostering effective communication among your team members. This is where emotional intelligence (EI) comes into play. In this article, we will explore what emotional intelligence is, its significance in management, and provide practical steps to develop and enhance your emotional intelligence skills. Understanding Emotional Intelligence: Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to recognize and manage your own emotions while effectively understanding and responding to the emotions of others. It comprises several key components, including self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills. When applied in a managerial role, emotional intelligence… . . . read more

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MANAGING STAFF

Don’t delay if you have to deliver bad news

May 17, 2023 by

By Lynne Curry “It’s not the difficult conversations that bite you the hardest,” I told the manager. “It’s the ones you put off until too late.” I listened to the manager’s reasons and told him, “Here are the risks you take. You dread telling ‘Robert’ what and how he needs to improve because he lashes out at you and remains sullen for days after you’ve counseled him. You finally draft a written reprimand, but before you deliver it, Robert voices a safety concern in front of others. Now your reprimand seems seem retaliatory—and Robert’s an employee who feels justified in reporting his grievance to a regulatory agency.” “You’ve told me ‘Caitlin’ spends more time talking with coworkers than working. She makes lots of errors. You keep hoping she’ll improve, but… . . . read more

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7 ways to support mental health in your office

May 9, 2023 by

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a good time to devote some thought to how you can support mental health in your office. Here are some ideas for advancing mental health in the workplace: Encourage open communication: Encourage your employees to speak openly about their mental health and provide a safe space for them to do so. Encourage managers to be approachable and understanding, and provide training on how to handle these conversations. Promote work-life balance: Encourage your employees to take breaks and disconnect from work when they need to. Promote flexible working hours, so employees can balance their work and personal life. Provide resources: Provide resources and tools to help employees cope with mental health issues. These could include access to counseling services, employee assistance programs, or mental health… . . . read more

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YOUR CAREER

Snappy comebacks WHEN you need them

April 27, 2023 by

By Lynne Curry The snappy comeback you wish you’d had when “Jim” sniped at you in the meeting, and you sat frozen and speechless. The silencing comment you wish you’d given “Brenda” when you walked past the break room and you heard her dissing you. Why don’t those comebacks arrive when you need them? Here’s why… When you experience a verbal attack or another threat, your habitual neural pathways get tripped. Your body moves into high-alert survival mode. Your body tenses and heart rate speeds up; you breathe rapidly and shallowly. You feel flushed or sweaty; turn white or red; and may feel nauseated or a knot in your stomach. The solution? Pause and breathe. By pausing and slowing your breathing, you activate your parasympathetic system, slow down your heartbeat,… . . . read more

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MANAGING STAFF

Is it time to take the office team out to lunch?

April 11, 2023 by

You might be considering a team lunch for your office staff to celebrate a milestone or to announce upcoming changes. Hosting a business lunch in a restaurant can be a fantastic way to create a professional and enjoyable setting for discussing business matters. Here are some steps to consider when planning a team lunch in a restaurant: Choose the right restaurant: Select a restaurant that is appropriate for the occasion and consider the atmosphere, food, drinks, and location of the restaurant. Ensure that the restaurant can accommodate your team size and dietary requirements. Make a reservation: Reserve the restaurant in advance to ensure that you have a table available, particularly if you are hosting a large group or if the restaurant is popular. This will prevent any delays or disruptions…. . . . read more

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PRODUCTIVITY

“I forgot what day it was” no excuse for being late to work

March 24, 2023 by

It’s important to address any issues that may be affecting the productivity and efficiency of your medical office. Chronic tardiness can be a significant problem that can impact the entire office, so it’s important to address it in a timely and effective manner. Here are some steps you can take to address an employee who is consistently late for work: Set clear expectations: Make sure your employee is aware of the start time for their shift and any other expectations related to punctuality. It’s important that these expectations are communicated clearly so that there is no confusion or ambiguity. Identify the underlying cause: Talk to your employee to understand why they are consistently late. There may be personal or work-related factors that are contributing to their tardiness, such as transportation… . . . read more

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