What's the happiest day of the year? Hint: It's coming up! According to data from Gallup, the happiest day in 2013 was Thanksgiving Day: 70% of Americans felt a lot of happiness and enjoyment with little stress or worry that day. It's not surprising that happiness levels typically increase on Fridays and through the weekend and then decrease during the workweek, with many of … [Read more...] about When are your employees likely to be happiest?
Managing staff
5 ways to turn your staff into a team of professionals
How can an administrator turn staff into professionals? Focus on attitude, says Cynthia R. Grosso, founder of the Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette in Charleston, SC, and a speaker on corporate etiquette and professional success. People think professionalism is action. It's not, says Grosso. "It's an attitude." And mostly it's an attitude of self-respect. A … [Read more...] about 5 ways to turn your staff into a team of professionals
How to handle the “bully lawyer” without losing your temper or your job
A growing concern in all types of professional offices is the bully boss. "Bullying is the issue for this decade that sexual harassment was in the 1980s," says Rachel Schaming, a business and leadership coach and certified conflicts mediator in Tucson, AZ. In a law firm, the issue is especially difficult, because the bully may be a senior lawyer. As a result, staff don't want … [Read more...] about How to handle the “bully lawyer” without losing your temper or your job
Easy answers to 5 tough questions managers often face
Here are the answers to five individual questions managers often encounter. They are outlined by attorney Shari L. Lane of Northwest Employment Law in Portland, OR. Changing the face of the job 1. Can the office require an employee to take on a different work schedule or move to another location? What if it affects the employee's child care or family responsibility … [Read more...] about Easy answers to 5 tough questions managers often face
Cyber security report uncovers why most corporate network breaches occur on Monday morning, and more
CYREN, a cyber security platform, recently announced the release of its latest CYREN Cyber Threat Report that examines trends surrounding malware, phishing, spam and other online threats. Friday malware spike results in busy Mondays for IT security professionals In the report, CYREN research confirms long-held suspicions that criminals are purposely intensifying their … [Read more...] about Cyber security report uncovers why most corporate network breaches occur on Monday morning, and more
In the office, your cooperation is mandatory, not optional
By Steve M. Cohen bio It might sound obvious, but being a key employee, especially a top-level manager, requires above all organizational loyalty. Yet in many businesses, some employees are working at cross proposes with their firm. Let's assume that your organization has an objective, probably something articulated in your mission and vision statement. This … [Read more...] about In the office, your cooperation is mandatory, not optional
“Why are you leaving us?” and other key questions to ask staffers who resign
There's good information to be had from a staffer who's leaving. People who have resigned "don't have a hidden agenda." They tend to be candid and forthcoming, and the manager can get valuable feedback from them, says Marcia W. Wasserman of Comprehensive Management Solutions, Inc., a practice management consulting firm in Northridge, CA. Here are a few rules to follow and a … [Read more...] about “Why are you leaving us?” and other key questions to ask staffers who resign
Creating a peaceful office environment
Law firms are usually hired to handle contentious issues, but that doesn't mean the workplace itself needs to be fraught with conflict. If you're wishing for peace in the firm, there are a few things you can do that can have a significant impact. It goes without saying that office conflict, poor attitudes, and negative staffers undermine peace and tranquility. But any bad … [Read more...] about Creating a peaceful office environment
How technology is going to affect HR in 2016
Imagine software that runs on your phone, delivers on-the-job skills training via video, and integrates with a learning management system that shows a manager how well you have mastered new skills. This is just one example of the innovations emerging to help employees improve their productivity at work, according to Josh Bersin, principal, Bersin by Deloitte, Deloitte … [Read more...] about How technology is going to affect HR in 2016
Improve your office operations with a few easy changes
By Steve M. Cohen bio I'm sure you've seen one of Hollywood's "political" movies. You know the kind: drama unfolds between a candidate and (fill in the blank), while his or her selfless team of volunteers labor furiously in the background, assuring that the candidate still wins, despite spending all of his or her time dealing with the drama. Hollywood fantasy, … [Read more...] about Improve your office operations with a few easy changes