Without realizing it, a manager can create conflict. It comes from the way staff’s interruptions, questions, and suggestions get handled. Here are five automatic and all too common bad responses. 1 “I don’t have time for that now” A staffer comes in with a question, the manager is in the middle of work, and the response is “not now” or “can’t you take care of that … [Read more...] about 5 things you should never say to your staffers
Managing staff
How to prioritize law firm management tasks
By Elizabeth M. Miller bio What's the most important task you have to tackle today? Do you have so many you can't decide which to address first? In law firms, priorities change from day to day and even moment to moment. The truth of the matter is that there are often competing priorities. And unless there is an obvious crisis, it's sometimes not that easy to decide which … [Read more...] about How to prioritize law firm management tasks
6 ways formal job descriptions benefit your law office
Small businesses, including legal practices, often try to get by without formal job descriptions. The thinking is the manager knows what each position requires, and she or he can share this information with job candidates and new hires. Another argument is that because job tasks tend to change, job descriptions quickly become outdated. Neither of these arguments takes … [Read more...] about 6 ways formal job descriptions benefit your law office
5 ways to help your team members overcome burnout
The last several years have been rough on everyone in the workplace, including law offices. Chances are someone on your team has had enough of the pressures from work, family, finances, the public health emergency and other turmoil in society. As a manager, you want to help. Here are four ideas to get you started: Help organize and prioritize work into manageable and … [Read more...] about 5 ways to help your team members overcome burnout
Must employee notify our office of DUI?
QUESTION If one of our employees gets a DUI, do they have to notify us? ANSWER It depends. EXPLANATION There are at least four factors affecting whether the employee would have to come forward and tell you about the DUI? Your HR policies: What, if anything, do your current policies say about whether employees must notify you of their DUIs? Conviction or … [Read more...] about Must employee notify our office of DUI?
10 steps to build your confidence as a new office manager
Starting a new role as an office manager can be an exciting yet challenging experience. It’s not uncommon to feel a bit overwhelmed in the beginning, but by taking proactive steps, you can build your confidence and excel in your new position. Here are some valuable tips to help you grow in your role as an office manager: 1. Understand Your … [Read more...] about 10 steps to build your confidence as a new office manager
Research report: Recognition good for engagement and beating burnout
New research show four practical steps organizations can take to improve culture through the power of recognition. Workhuman and Gallup have released a report, Empowering Workplace Culture Through Recognition, which examines the significance of recognition in the workplace as both a foundational element and a catalyst for organizational culture. Employees who strongly agree … [Read more...] about Research report: Recognition good for engagement and beating burnout
4 steps to take immediately when a workplace romance blossoms in your office
To meet that one special guy or gal. . . . it's the stuff dreams are made of. But when that love connection takes place within a workplace, it can be an employer's worst nightmare. Couples that live happily ever after are manageable. But when a workplace romance ends in breakup, it usually creates big problems at work. This hasn't changed in the era of remote work; studies have … [Read more...] about 4 steps to take immediately when a workplace romance blossoms in your office
5 proven ways to delegate work and set the staffer up for success on the task
Being a successful administrator calls for an investment. It is the investment of time and patience to train staff to take on delegated tasks and do the work satisfactorily. The payoff is big. Besides ending the frustration of having to do much of the busy work, it allows the administrator to excel in managing the firm. It is the key to professional productivity and … [Read more...] about 5 proven ways to delegate work and set the staffer up for success on the task
Create work schedules that keep your hourly staff happy
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 … [Read more...] about Create work schedules that keep your hourly staff happy