New managers face a number of challenges, but which challenge is the most daunting? According to a recent survey, the most difficult part of becoming a manager is balancing individual responsibilities with time spent overseeing staff. Supervising friends or former peers ranked as the second greatest concern. The survey was developed by Robert Half Management Resources and … [Read more...] about 10 essential tips for new managers
Managing the office
Study: Organizations not doing enough to build a corporate culture of security
Employee-related security risks are the number-one concern for security professionals, but organizations are not taking adequate steps to prevent negligent employee behavior, says an industry study recently released by Experian Data Breach Resolution and Ponemon Institute. The study, Managing Insider Risk Through Training & Culture, asked more than 600 individuals at … [Read more...] about Study: Organizations not doing enough to build a corporate culture of security
How to help a grieving employee
By Lynne Curry, Ph.D, SPHR bio How do you, as a manager, best help an employee who loses a loved one? This is one hot potato that few law office managers feel equipped to handle. When tragedy befalls an employee, most of us don't know what to say. As a result, we often say nothing. This creates a complete disconnect between the individual for whom everything has … [Read more...] about How to help a grieving employee
How a comment about wages can lead to a costly retaliation claim
A retaliation claim is expensive to defend and even more expensive to lose. And it's easy for employees to file one in matters related to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which covers wage and hour law. In the past, a retaliation claim for complaining about pay and hours was valid only if the employee put the complaint in writing. However, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling says … [Read more...] about How a comment about wages can lead to a costly retaliation claim
Study: Excessive sitting is more disruptive to your business than cyberloafing
Prolonged sitting is not only detrimental to employee health, it may also be killing your businesses' productivity and culture. A new survey commissioned by Ergotron (a Nortek company) found that 61 percent of full-time U.S. employees are more likely to get up and move when they are feeling restless from sitting versus cyberloafing (39 percent), an activity currently … [Read more...] about Study: Excessive sitting is more disruptive to your business than cyberloafing
Like a Boss: Increasing employee engagement
By Michelle Spencer bio So far, my infographics have illustrated (1) the cost of bad management and (2) the natural talents needed to be good leaders. Now let's look at the fundamentals necessary to increase employee engagement and a few benefits that firms will reap as a result of having engaged employees. As we've seen, the most important driver of employee … [Read more...] about Like a Boss: Increasing employee engagement
Chicago-based law firm to help employees pay off student loan debt
Only 3% of U.S. employers currently offer student loan assistance to their employees, but a Chicago-based virtual consumer law firm has announced that it will begin offering its 100+ employees company-sponsored contributions to pay off student loan debt. Two-thirds of the employees at UpRight Law at burdened with student loan debt. And according to UpRight Law's CEO Ed … [Read more...] about Chicago-based law firm to help employees pay off student loan debt
Cybercrime and 7 basic security measures your firm should take now
Cybercriminals are continuing to exploit human nature as they rely on familiar attack patterns such as phishing, and increase their reliance on ransomware, where data is encrypted and a ransom is demanded, finds the Verizon 2016 Data Breach Investigations Report. This year's report highlights repeating themes from prior year's findings and storylines that continue to play off … [Read more...] about Cybercrime and 7 basic security measures your firm should take now
Illinois manager develops unique staff review system that does it all
An Illinois manager has developed a review system that, besides determining raises, increases communication throughout the office and also promotes teamwork. The process is referred to as a 360-degree evaluation, where everybody reviews everybody, including their bosses, their peers, and themselves. And to keep the communication and teamwork open, the reviewing is repeated … [Read more...] about Illinois manager develops unique staff review system that does it all
Supervising and Surviving Virtual Teams
By Lynne Curry, Ph.D, SPHR bio As a manager, how can I supervise employees at remote locations—particularly when I never see them? If I work remotely, how do I make sure I stay on my supervisor's radar for promotional opportunities? Which employees thrive in virtual team situations? If you manage a virtual team If you manage employees you never meet … [Read more...] about Supervising and Surviving Virtual Teams