Law Office Manager

Hiring

A manual that covers the entire administration

A Washington, D.C. administrator has set up an operations manual that covers every imaginable item of managing the firm. It holds the basics of everything so that when she is out, the firm “can be on autopilot and keep the trains running on time,” says Jill D. Hirsch, chief operating officer of Slevin & Hart. And, she says, “it’s for me as well as for someone stepping in … [Read more...] about A manual that covers the entire administration

5 proven ways to spot and avoid hiring potentially “toxic employees” … and what to do if you already have them

Got toxins in the office? Toxins are people who cause dissent. They undermine people. They create an atmosphere of mistrust and suspicion. They kill the camaraderie. They are toxic because they cause enough misery to force worthwhile staffers to leave. Law firms are notorious for putting up with toxic people at both the attorney and staff levels. Professional people are not … [Read more...] about 5 proven ways to spot and avoid hiring potentially “toxic employees” … and what to do if you already have them

Conducting background checks: Better safe than sorry

By Steve M. Cohen  bio Despite some debate and even legal questions on method, I consistently recommend that my clients conduct background checks on all employees they intend to hire. Some of my clients are required by state or federal statutes to conduct background checks. This is especially widespread when employees will provide services to frail or vulnerable … [Read more...] about Conducting background checks: Better safe than sorry

12 big blunders caught on resumes by hiring managers

According to a survey from CareerBuilder, the majority of employers (70 percent) spend less than five minutes reviewing a resume, and half (48 percent) spend less than two, which means that creating an attention-getting resume can be a tall order for job seekers. And this desire to stand out might be why some job seekers are including some unnecessary, inappropriate or … [Read more...] about 12 big blunders caught on resumes by hiring managers

Rethinking retention: A user experience approach to keeping great people

As traditional retention incentives become unsustainable, organizations are looking for new ways to attract and retain the best talent. In their recently released insights paper "Rethinking Retention: A User Experience Approach to Keeping Great People." ManpowerGroup Solutions provides a fresh perspective on retention, using a method most commonly found in product and service … [Read more...] about Rethinking retention: A user experience approach to keeping great people

Five surprising findings on the attitudes and behaviors of Gen Z at work

They want to drive to their jobs, head into their private offices, and meet face-to-face with colleagues before calling it a day—hopefully, not too late, since work-life balance is their primary career concern. Sound like a baby boomer, or even Gen X? On the contrary, these are the work preferences expressed by more than 770 members of Generation Z (those born between 1990 … [Read more...] about Five surprising findings on the attitudes and behaviors of Gen Z at work

How your personal posts on social media can hurt your career

A Vermont State Police trooper was recently forced to resign as a result of comments he posted to his personal Facebook page. Could this happen to you or a member of your staff? The story in Vermont An unidentified concerned citizen notified the Vermont State Police about the trooper's Facebook posts, according to the Rutland Herald, and the agency proceeded to … [Read more...] about How your personal posts on social media can hurt your career

Why you should avoid hiring your clone

Hiring a new employee is a tedious task that every law office manager faces. But what if, two months after hiring a new employee, you realize that you have simply hired yourself? At first this may not sound like a terrible decision but, by taking a step back and looking at what hiring yourself really means, you'll notice that every employee at the organization has the same … [Read more...] about Why you should avoid hiring your clone

Use contract employees and temporary workers to solve difficult staffing issues

If your legal practice is like most, it's difficult to make a case for adding full-time office staff. And it's no wonder. Full-time employee benefits, including Social Security, 401k/403b contribution, disability insurance, health insurance, pension plan, and paid time off, add approximately 40 percent to an employee's salary, according to Salary.com, a leading provider of … [Read more...] about Use contract employees and temporary workers to solve difficult staffing issues