With the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), your law office needs a plan to protect employees from exposure. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommends these strategies: Actively encourage sick employees to stay home: Employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever (100.4° F [37.8° … [Read more...] about 4 strategies for your law office to use now to protect your employees from coronavirus
Managing staff
Don’t cast out a truth teller
By Lynne Curry bio “Morgan” was the one person who took issue with the CEO’s presentation of his new initiative. Before she voiced her concerns, the 12 other managers around the conference table had nodded appreciatively when the CEO made each of his points. Several other managers secretly shared Morgan’s doubts, but no one came to her aid when the CEO looked irritated. Six … [Read more...] about Don’t cast out a truth teller
Age bias legislation and defamation claims
By Mike O'Brien bio Here is my periodic update prepared for interested HR professionals trying to deal with the complex American employment laws. House passes age bias legislation: The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA). The bill, passed in January, would allow an older worker to sue for job discrimination … [Read more...] about Age bias legislation and defamation claims
New overtime rule now in effect
By Mike O’Brien bio Jan. 1, 2020 was the deadline to comply with new FLSA overtime rule. At the end of September the Department of Labor issued its long-awaited final rule updating the salary level test for white-collar overtime exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Under the new rule, the minimum salary level for exemption is raised from $455 a week to $684 a week, … [Read more...] about New overtime rule now in effect
She almost lost her job to jealous sabotage
By Lynne Curry bio Through no fault of her own, “Loni” almost lost her job. When she called me requesting coaching, she told me told me she’d been with her company for 11 months. For the first nine, she’d been on the fast-track to a senior management position. Two months ago, everything changed. Last Friday morning, her CEO had told her to “pull it together or you’re out.” She … [Read more...] about She almost lost her job to jealous sabotage
How to delegate better
Boost staff performance by communicating more clearly Not pleased with what staff are doing? It may not be their fault. Look at the directions they are getting—from the manager. Whenever a staffer who is capable of doing a job doesn't get that job right, chances are it's because the manager didn't explain what needed to be done. A manager should assign projects via a written … [Read more...] about How to delegate better
The importance of recognizing your employees’ hard work
Happy Administrative Professionals Week! What have you got planned to acknowledge your hard-working support staff? If you've decided to do nothing this year, you may want to rethink that. According to a survey conducted by staffing firm OfficeTeam, two-thirds (66 percent) of workers surveyed said they'd likely leave their job if they didn't feel appreciated. In contrast, just … [Read more...] about The importance of recognizing your employees’ hard work
4 bad financial habits that may increase your policy premiums and your malpractice risk
Ineffective billing and collections practices affect more than the bottom line. They ultimately may determine what the firm has to pay for malpractice coverage. To an underwriter, poor financial habits are just like poor legal habits—they spell high risk for malpractice claims, says Dan Knise, president and CEO of Ames & Gough, a McClean, VA, specialty insurance broker. If … [Read more...] about 4 bad financial habits that may increase your policy premiums and your malpractice risk
3-point retention strategy
By Julie Ellison bio Great law offices are built with great people. In today's competitive employment market, it's hard enough to recruit those great people, but the real challenge is getting them to stay. Traditional retention strategies haven't worked so it's time to take a fresh look at how to keep the best people you have. Benefits vs. retention We often confuse … [Read more...] about 3-point retention strategy
How to let clients know you take their work seriously, without saying a word
As the saying goes, "you never get a second chance to make a first impression." What's the first impression your clients get when they walk into your office? Does it instill confidence that they made the right choice in hiring your firm? Clients lose faith in an office when they see clutter and dusty plastic plants and dirt in the corners. A likely reaction is, "This office … [Read more...] about How to let clients know you take their work seriously, without saying a word