By Michelle Spencer bio As I reviewed information and then conceived of this series, the statistics on female managers stood out to me. Knowing that increased diversity is important to most law firms and with more women choosing to attend law school, I thought these statistics were important to include as part of the Like a Boss series. Female bosses are slightly … [Read more...] about Like a Boss: Girl power in management
Managing the office
How to deliver exceptional customer service to your clients
Imagine a client is coming into your law firm for the first time. What does she see when she steps through the door? How is she greeted? How long does she wait in the reception area for the lawyer? Is there anything for her to read while she's waiting? Once she meets the lawyer, how is she treated? And after she leaves the office, when will she next hear from the firm? How will … [Read more...] about How to deliver exceptional customer service to your clients
Survey: Hiring increases in legal field predicted
An increase in hiring is predicted for the legal field with nearly one-third (31 percent) of lawyers interviewed by Robert Half Legal anticipating their law firms or companies will add legal jobs in the second half of 2016. This compares to 24 percent six months ago and 29 percent one year ago. Fifty-one percent of lawyers said they expect to only fill vacant posts, while … [Read more...] about Survey: Hiring increases in legal field predicted
SHRM looks at 20 years of employee benefits trends in the United States
Over the past 20 years, employers have increased and decreased benefits strategically in response to the needs of the workplace and employees as well as to economic and technological changes, according to the Society for Human Resource Management's (SHRM's) 2016 Employee Benefits Survey report recently released. Employers are responding to workers'—especially … [Read more...] about SHRM looks at 20 years of employee benefits trends in the United States
Understanding value systems to get in sync with your employees
By Lynne Curry, Ph.D, SPHR bio You and your employees don't see eye to eye. You expect that work means work. But one of your employees, otherwise talented and hard-working, texts throughout the day, insisting it takes less than five minutes total time and "isn't she allowed a break?" Meanwhile your new IT manager, although doing a good job, keeps his eye on Craigslist. When … [Read more...] about Understanding value systems to get in sync with your employees
Do you have ‘fatal’ thinking flaws?
In a 10-year study, involving hundreds of interactive creative problem-solving sessions, business strategist and innovation coach Matthew E. May gave over 100,000 professionals a thought challenge far less complex than their routine business problems. Results? Not only did less than 5 percent arrive at the best and most elegant solution, but the solutions given were … [Read more...] about Do you have ‘fatal’ thinking flaws?
Roundtable talks solve office problems
Staff meetings are important, but they generally don't cover things staff have a hand in, says the practice manager of an office in Maine. In addition to hearing company reports and receiving managerial edicts, staff also need time to discuss operational matters and brainstorm solutions for common problems. So the manager decided to implement monthly roundtable discussions. … [Read more...] about Roundtable talks solve office problems
5 steps to creating a more inclusive workplace for employees with disabilities
Did you know that more than 70 percent of people with disabilities in the United States are unemployed? For a community that represents 20 percent of the entire American population, people with disabilities are far underrepresented in the workplace. According to the Ruderman Family Foundation, a national leader in disability inclusion, these statistics are a reflection of one … [Read more...] about 5 steps to creating a more inclusive workplace for employees with disabilities
Are you prepared for the most costly claim your law firm could face? Do you even know what it is?
By Sharron Bauer bio What do you think is the most costly claim your law firm could face? A malpractice claim? Nope. A slip and fall? Wrong again. Give up? A data breach! I can hear you now: Are you kidding me? Yes, that's right. The most costly claim your firm faces is probably NOT going to be: a grievance filed or a claim against your Lawyers Professional Liability (or … [Read more...] about Are you prepared for the most costly claim your law firm could face? Do you even know what it is?
How the FLSA’s updated rules regarding overtime affects your firm
By Sandra Hoyle-Smith, SPHR bio President Obama and Secretary Perez recently announced the publication of the Department of Labor's final rule updating the overtime regulations, which will automatically extend overtime pay protections to over 4 million workers within the first year of implementation. What does this mean for you? Between now and December 1st, you will … [Read more...] about How the FLSA’s updated rules regarding overtime affects your firm