When they need to make personal connections with the rest of humanity, more and more Americans are doing so via the Internet. A 2014 study by the Pew Research Center showed that 74 percent of adults who go online use a social networking site, whether it's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or something else. "It's clear that nearly everyone makes an effort to connect some way … [Read more...] about 4 reasons your business should be on social media
Managing the office
Six rules for selling without a sales pitch
Don't destroy the firm's marketing efforts by putting a hard sell on a potential client. To some people, lawyers have a negative image to begin with. Add a sales pitch to that and the reaction is resistance. The prospect sees the attorney as trying to take control and there's confrontation before the selling even begins. A hard sell may be effective in some businesses, but … [Read more...] about Six rules for selling without a sales pitch
Explaining due process and the DOL—a three-tiered safety net
By Steve M. Cohen bio As a law firm member, you're no doubt familiar with due process. You should also remember that it is involved deeply with employee relations, including issues up to and including termination. As in baseball, your office can also involve a three-strike situation. What's important for you to know is that ultimately the umpire is the … [Read more...] about Explaining due process and the DOL—a three-tiered safety net
Trending HR issues your employee handbook should cover
According to a survey conducted by XpertHR, emerging HR issues are starting to appear in employee handbooks—but very slowly. It's hard to keep up "Employee handbooks continue to be a perennial challenge and opportunity for employers," says Peggy Carter-Ward, head of content for XpertHR, a provider of online compliance tools and guidance for HR professionals. "The … [Read more...] about Trending HR issues your employee handbook should cover
Model Guide: Behavioral interview questions
Why you need this guide: When interviewing job candidates, it's essential to ascertain whether they have the knowledge and skills required for the position. How this guide helps you: This guide provides open-ended questions to ask candidates—allowing for answers that will provide the insight you seek. How to use this guide: Organized alphabetically by topic area, this guide … [Read more...] about Model Guide: Behavioral interview questions
Dealing with workplace accusations? It’s time to investigate
By Steve M. Cohen bio In dealing with your office staff, allegations of wrongdoing are never something you can ignore. Whether the charge involves sexual or racial harassment, bullying or something else, they must never be ignored. Never. Remember, an allegation by itself is neither fact nor fiction. It is simply a statement made by someone within your … [Read more...] about Dealing with workplace accusations? It’s time to investigate
What to cover in the office handbook and how to say it safely
While most firms have employee handbooks, few realize the responsibilities and even dangers a handbook creates. A handbook ensures that both firm and employees understand the full picture of the employment, says Beth De Lima, SPHR-CA, of HRM Consulting, a human resource management consulting company in San Diego, CA. It outlines what the firm expects from employees in terms … [Read more...] about What to cover in the office handbook and how to say it safely
Are you misleading job applicants during the interview process?
Six in 10 employees say they've found aspects of a new job different from expectations set during the interview process, according to a survey conducted by jobs and career marketplace Glassdoor. Areas where job reality differs from employee expectations include: Employee morale Job responsibilities Hours expected to work Boss' personality Career … [Read more...] about Are you misleading job applicants during the interview process?
Do you make any of these 10 common grammatical errors?
There are many workplaces where people don't need to be diligent about their grammar and where incorrect word usage is overlooked. But that's not the case for someone working in a law firm. There are certain professional expectations that come with the job and when you're having a serious conversation with a client or a colleague, the last thing you want is for the other person … [Read more...] about Do you make any of these 10 common grammatical errors?
Only 1 in 10 of your employees share your definition of success
A new global career survey of employees released recently by Right Management, the global career experts within ManpowerGroup, finds that only 10 percent of employees define career success as high performance and productivity. As employers struggle to find skilled and motivated individuals to meet performance goals, these findings indicate an ongoing disconnect between … [Read more...] about Only 1 in 10 of your employees share your definition of success