It's a temptation too great for many people to resist—using the Internet to check their Facebook page, watch those cat videos, or check on the Fantasy League while at work. And according to a survey from FindLaw.com, about half of your staff members are surfing the Internet when they should be working. What are they using it for? According to FindLaw.com's survey, … [Read more...] about What your staff is doing on the Internet and why you might want to allow it
Managing staff
Want to improve morale? Listen up
By Dr. Steve M. Cohen It's a cheap, but effective cure, for many ailments I've found that most organizations can benefit significantly from a simple, low-cost change in their operations: More two-way communications. For busy law office managers, time can be among their most valuable commodities so I don't make this recommendation lightly. But even a few minutes each day to … [Read more...] about Want to improve morale? Listen up
Model Notice: Alcohol consumption at firm’s party
Why you need this notice: Holiday and other office parties often include alcohol, and excessive alcohol consumption poses risks for employees. How this notice helps you: By letting employees know about your concerns for their safety, and providing recommendations for safe behavior, you are acting responsibly. How to use this notice: Modify this notice for your firm. … [Read more...] about Model Notice: Alcohol consumption at firm’s party
Major holidays and your staff’s productivity
Here's a holiday bonus for managers: Some of your employees may be pushing the pedal on their productivity over the next few weeks, suggests a new survey from Accountemps. Thirty-two percent of workers polled said they become more productive the week before a major holiday. That's the good news. The bad news? Twenty-two percent of professionals reported that their output … [Read more...] about Major holidays and your staff’s productivity
How’s your work-life balance?
Editor's picks: Wellness is a staff benefit and a productivity builder From ready dinners to errand helpers, Georgia firm supports families 3 ways you can boost office morale fast … [Read more...] about How’s your work-life balance?
6 ways to save time at the office so you can focus on what’s important
By Catherine Jones bio We're all strapped for time and usually the first activities sacrificed are those which are personally important to us. For example, according to DOMO, 42% of college graduates have never read another book after college 67% of parents say they don't have enough time to spend with their children 60% of employees feel they … [Read more...] about 6 ways to save time at the office so you can focus on what’s important
When are your employees likely to be happiest?
What's the happiest day of the year? Hint: It's coming up! According to data from Gallup, the happiest day in 2013 was Thanksgiving Day: 70% of Americans felt a lot of happiness and enjoyment with little stress or worry that day. It's not surprising that happiness levels typically increase on Fridays and through the weekend and then decrease during the workweek, with many of … [Read more...] about When are your employees likely to be happiest?
5 ways to turn your staff into a team of professionals
How can an administrator turn staff into professionals? Focus on attitude, says Cynthia R. Grosso, founder of the Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette in Charleston, SC, and a speaker on corporate etiquette and professional success. People think professionalism is action. It's not, says Grosso. "It's an attitude." And mostly it's an attitude of self-respect. A … [Read more...] about 5 ways to turn your staff into a team of professionals
How to handle the “bully lawyer” without losing your temper or your job
A growing concern in all types of professional offices is the bully boss. "Bullying is the issue for this decade that sexual harassment was in the 1980s," says Rachel Schaming, a business and leadership coach and certified conflicts mediator in Tucson, AZ. In a law firm, the issue is especially difficult, because the bully may be a senior lawyer. As a result, staff don't want … [Read more...] about How to handle the “bully lawyer” without losing your temper or your job
Easy answers to 5 tough questions managers often face
Here are the answers to five individual questions managers often encounter. They are outlined by attorney Shari L. Lane of Northwest Employment Law in Portland, OR. Changing the face of the job 1. Can the office require an employee to take on a different work schedule or move to another location? What if it affects the employee's child care or family responsibility … [Read more...] about Easy answers to 5 tough questions managers often face