By Lynne Curry, Ph.D, SPHR bio You and your employees don't see eye to eye. You expect that work means work. But one of your employees, otherwise talented and hard-working, texts throughout the day, insisting it takes less than five minutes total time and "isn't she allowed a break?" Meanwhile your new IT manager, although doing a good job, keeps his eye on Craigslist. When … [Read more...] about Understanding value systems to get in sync with your employees
Managing staff
Turn staff from critters into smart thinkers with ownership in their jobs
The brain has two states. One is the "critter state." That's the point at which a person responds like a raccoon or a skunk or any other critter. The focus is survival. It's fright-freeze-fight-flight thinking. The other is the "smart state." And that's the point where a person is a human being – innovative, creative, collaborative, and emotionally engaged. In the critter … [Read more...] about Turn staff from critters into smart thinkers with ownership in their jobs
Do you have ‘fatal’ thinking flaws?
In a 10-year study, involving hundreds of interactive creative problem-solving sessions, business strategist and innovation coach Matthew E. May gave over 100,000 professionals a thought challenge far less complex than their routine business problems. Results? Not only did less than 5 percent arrive at the best and most elegant solution, but the solutions given were … [Read more...] about Do you have ‘fatal’ thinking flaws?
Roundtable talks solve office problems
Staff meetings are important, but they generally don't cover things staff have a hand in, says the practice manager of an office in Maine. In addition to hearing company reports and receiving managerial edicts, staff also need time to discuss operational matters and brainstorm solutions for common problems. So the manager decided to implement monthly roundtable discussions. … [Read more...] about Roundtable talks solve office problems
5 steps to creating a more inclusive workplace for employees with disabilities
Did you know that more than 70 percent of people with disabilities in the United States are unemployed? For a community that represents 20 percent of the entire American population, people with disabilities are far underrepresented in the workplace. According to the Ruderman Family Foundation, a national leader in disability inclusion, these statistics are a reflection of one … [Read more...] about 5 steps to creating a more inclusive workplace for employees with disabilities
How the FLSA’s updated rules regarding overtime affects your firm
By Sandra Hoyle-Smith, SPHR bio President Obama and Secretary Perez recently announced the publication of the Department of Labor's final rule updating the overtime regulations, which will automatically extend overtime pay protections to over 4 million workers within the first year of implementation. What does this mean for you? Between now and December 1st, you will … [Read more...] about How the FLSA’s updated rules regarding overtime affects your firm
10 essential tips for new managers
New managers face a number of challenges, but which challenge is the most daunting? According to a recent survey, the most difficult part of becoming a manager is balancing individual responsibilities with time spent overseeing staff. Supervising friends or former peers ranked as the second greatest concern. The survey was developed by Robert Half Management Resources and … [Read more...] about 10 essential tips for new managers
Study: Organizations not doing enough to build a corporate culture of security
Employee-related security risks are the number-one concern for security professionals, but organizations are not taking adequate steps to prevent negligent employee behavior, says an industry study recently released by Experian Data Breach Resolution and Ponemon Institute. The study, Managing Insider Risk Through Training & Culture, asked more than 600 individuals at … [Read more...] about Study: Organizations not doing enough to build a corporate culture of security
How to help a grieving employee
By Lynne Curry, Ph.D, SPHR bio How do you, as a manager, best help an employee who loses a loved one? This is one hot potato that few law office managers feel equipped to handle. When tragedy befalls an employee, most of us don't know what to say. As a result, we often say nothing. This creates a complete disconnect between the individual for whom everything has … [Read more...] about How to help a grieving employee
How a comment about wages can lead to a costly retaliation claim
A retaliation claim is expensive to defend and even more expensive to lose. And it's easy for employees to file one in matters related to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which covers wage and hour law. In the past, a retaliation claim for complaining about pay and hours was valid only if the employee put the complaint in writing. However, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling says … [Read more...] about How a comment about wages can lead to a costly retaliation claim