The world of work has undergone a significant transformation, and like many, your law office is probably embracing remote and hybrid work models. As the person who keeps everything running smoothly, you play a crucial role in making this transition successful. Let's talk about how you can effectively implement and manage the necessary policies, technology, and support systems … [Read more...] about Managing policies, technology, and support systems for remote and hybrid work
Remote Work
HR UPDATE: Who will win the return to office fight?
By Lynne Curry If you love working from home, and dread returning to the office, here’s the stark question you may face this year—are you willing to lose your job? This crossroads looms large for millions of workers. After tasting the benefits of remote work—zero commutes and better work-life balance—many employees feel reluctant to trade that freedom for fluorescent … [Read more...] about HR UPDATE: Who will win the return to office fight?
Who’s going to win the return-to-office battle?
By Lynne Curry After the pandemic wound to a close, employers began pushing employees to return to the office. Fifty percent of U.S. employers issued a full or hybrid RTO (return to office) mandate in 2022 and 2023, and almost all employers planned implementing an RTO mandate before the end of 2024. Employers perceived, and many experienced, benefits from implementing … [Read more...] about Who’s going to win the return-to-office battle?
Partnering: Reset your relationship with your employees
By Lynne Curry You want your employees to work harder. They seem to expect a medal for what they’re already doing. You want your employees to feel happy about returning to the office. They don’t. They’d prefer to work remote. You handed out raises and expected your employees to thank you. Your employees reminded you their wages, even with the raises, haven’t kept pace with … [Read more...] about Partnering: Reset your relationship with your employees
How to resolve conflicts in a virtual, remote work environment
By Lynne Curry “We had a situation blow up this morning,” the law practice partner said when he called for advice. “It came out of nowhere. One small issue, a manager not letting his peer know about a meeting, unleashed a tidal wave of anger from her. We talked to the first manager. He said he’d accidentally overlooked putting the other manager on the Zoom invitation. He … [Read more...] about How to resolve conflicts in a virtual, remote work environment
You don’t need to bring staff back to the office to build a culture
By Lynne Curry Question: I’m a partner in a professional services firm. We barely survived the pandemic and only because we furloughed all nonessential employees. Those of us who were partners worked unpaid part of the time. We kept ourselves going by promising ourselves that “things would get back to normal.” Our company recovered slowly. We rehired many of the employees we … [Read more...] about You don’t need to bring staff back to the office to build a culture
Employers need to realize some employees would rather quit than return to the office
By Lynne Curry “Doing time, that’s what going into the office to work feels to me.” “Like…jail?” “Like I’m selling my freedom for a paycheck. The bars close behind me every morning.” “Jim’s” employer didn’t want him to resign. “Could you interview him and find out if there’s anything we can do to keep him?” It took less than three minutes to learn—his … [Read more...] about Employers need to realize some employees would rather quit than return to the office
The nomadic remote employee: Employee dream, employer nightmare
By Lynne Curry Question: Several of our employees regularly travel out of state. Before the pandemic, they took vacations for several days or weeks. They and we understood they were on vacation. The situation was clear cut. Our current team includes three employees who want to travel and stay for weeks or even months, in places like Hawaii and Thailand or with relatives. … [Read more...] about The nomadic remote employee: Employee dream, employer nightmare
Managers hold the key to employee engagement and retention
With many workplaces now allowing hybrid work, new complexities in managing the workplace are emerging, says the The Conference Board in a new report. Recent evidence suggests that productivity among US workers has declined significantly from heights experienced during the pandemic. Remote and hybrid work arrangements combined with ill-prepared managers may be a cause. Why it … [Read more...] about Managers hold the key to employee engagement and retention
Digital presenteeism: Faking you care, faking you’re even there
By Lynne Curry A surprising number of employees, determined to hold on to their “work from home” status and aware that managers and others suspect remote employees of working less than their required hours, practice digital presenteeism. Digital presenteeism involves remote employees demonstrating they’re hard workers by responding to additional emails, attending additional … [Read more...] about Digital presenteeism: Faking you care, faking you’re even there