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Model Policy: Office Room Temperature

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for maintaining a comfortable and productive work environment for all staff and clients by regulating the temperature in the law office. By implementing this office temperature policy, the law office aims to maintain a comfortable and productive work environment for all staff and clients. Consistent communication, monitoring, and maintenance of the HVAC system, and accommodating individual needs will contribute to the success of this policy.

MANAGING THE OFFICE

Tame those office temperature tantrums!

Disputes over office temperature are relatively common among office staff. According to a study conducted by the International Facility Management Association, more than 50% of office workers report being unhappy with the temperature in their workplace. This dissatisfaction can lead to heated disputes or chilly relations among office staff, as people have different preferences for temperature and different comfort levels. For nearly 100 years, recommended temperatures for offices have been based on the body size and fat-to-muscle ratios (and typical clothing) of men, who tend to prefer temperatures around 72 degrees. Women feel colder than men at the same air temperature and prefer settings around 77 degrees. Besides being uncomfortable, the the wrong temperature can reduce productivity, as chilly workers fidget to get warm and overheated workers get move sluggishly…. . . . read more

TECHNOLOGY

Declutter your phone to declutter your mind

As a busy law office manager, you probably use your smartphone for both personal and professional purposes. However, over time, your device may become cluttered with too many apps, files, and notifications. This can make it difficult to find what you need quickly, and may even affect your productivity. Fortunately, decluttering your smartphone is a simple task that can be done in just a few steps. Step 1: Delete Unused Apps The first step to decluttering your smartphone is to delete any apps that you no longer use or need. This includes apps that you downloaded but never used, as well as apps that you used in the past but no longer need. To delete an app on an iPhone, simply hold down the app icon until it starts to… . . . read more

CYBERSECURITY

7 ways to protect confidential client data

As a manager of a law office, it’s crucial that you prioritize the protection of confidential client information. With the increasing number of cybersecurity threats in today’s digital age, it’s important to implement strong security measures to ensure that your clients’ data is safe. Here’s some advice on how to implement effective security measures for your law office: Ensure strong passwords and multi-factor authentication are in place: It’s important to require employees to use strong passwords that are regularly changed. You should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security. Secure networks and devices: You should take steps to secure your networks and devices from potential threats by using firewalls and antivirus software. All devices, including laptops and mobile phones, should be encrypted and password-protected. Regularly… . . . read more

DATA SECURITY

Are you following these 8 steps for law office cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is a critical issue for your law office, as you handle sensitive and confidential information on a daily basis. This includes client data, legal documents, and financial records. A breach of this information could have serious consequences, including financial losses, damage to reputation, and legal liability. How does your office stack up against these eight basic recommendations for law office cybersecurity? Network security: Law offices should have secure networks that are protected by firewalls and regularly updated with the latest security patches. They should also have a virtual private network (VPN) in place to encrypt internet traffic and protect it from being intercepted by hackers. Device security: All devices connected to the network, including laptops, smartphones, and tablets, should have strong passwords and be equipped with up-to-date antivirus software…. . . . read more

TELEWORK

Still managing remote staff? 8 tips to do it better

As lawyers continue to drag their feet about returning to work at the office, many legal support staff also want to continue to work remotely. Unless your law office is taking a hard stance about working on the premises, it’s likely you will continue to supervise some of your team from afar. While managing a remote workforce can present its own set of challenges, it can also be a highly effective way for law offices to expand their reach and attract top talent. So let’s review some tips for effective management of remote law office staff. Clearly communicate expectations: One of the key challenges of managing a remote workforce is ensuring that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals. It is important to clearly communicate… . . . read more

TECHNOLOGY

6 tips for choosing legal practice management software

By Diane Camacho There continues to be a tremendous push in the legal community from practice management software companies. This has evolved from the use of cloud-based software. What should practice management software do for you? Keep all your client information in one place. Keep all your information available to you on the go. Allow you to enter your information one time for all applications. Provide document automation. Provide document management. Efficiently track your time and produce bills. Either produce financial reports or sync with a financial management platform like QuickBooks. From my experience in the legal community and particularly working with small firms and solo practitioners, I’ve accumulated the following tips on legal practice management software. Tip 1 Each of these programs have a sweet spot. Some do billing… . . . read more

REMOTE WORK

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 meetings, and contributing comments in every meeting. According to a recent job trends report, the average remote employee works 67 additional minutes daily in an effort to convince managers they’re fully engaged in their jobs, https://www.flexjobs.com/remote-jobs/company/talentwise. The same report reveals that a record 85% of managers find it difficult to know for sure if their remote employees are productive. The problem—these actions erode morale and don’t equate with higher productivity. Said one mid-level manager who called me this… . . . read more

PRODUCTIVITY

Voice technology can give you an extra set of hands

By Philips Dictation From robotics to augmented reality and beyond, the growing prominence of technology’s role in business has been fascinating. But there is also concern that some types of technology, such as AI, may threaten people’s jobs by performing functions or even “thinking” as humans do. However, the reality is that the development of AI-related technologies, especially speech-to-text, is designed to complement human work—not replace it. There are many ways the rising popularity and adoption of speech-to-text help enhance workflows and make the day easier and more enjoyable for employees in all kinds of roles. Utilizing advanced voice solutions also helps prepare employees for future technological evolution in the workplace, keeping them on the leading edge with desirable, transferrable skills. For support staff, this is a win-win, as evidenced by these key benefits… . . . read more

HUMAN RESOURCES

5 ways to help your staff cope with inflation

By Paul Edwards CEO, CEDR  Solutions Inflation is on everyone’s minds right now, and understandably so. Most Americans are aware that the purchasing power of a dollar is always decreasing to some degree, but rarely does the rise in the cost of living have such a powerful impact on our daily lives or feature so prominently in the public discourse. As you may already know, financial pressure on American consumers reached an all-time high this year. Based on The Consumer Price Index—the best-known indicator of inflation—inflation rose to 8.6 percent in the 12 months ending in May 2022, marking the most extreme spike in that figure in over 40 years. The Impact of Inflation on You and Your Team Employees are justifiably concerned by this sudden and dramatic hike in the cost… . . . read more


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