By Steve M. Cohen bio As a law firm member, you're no doubt familiar with due process. You should also remember that it is involved deeply with employee relations, including issues up to and including termination. As in baseball, your office can also involve a three-strike situation. What's important for you to know is that ultimately the umpire is the … [Read more...] about Explaining due process and the DOL—a three-tiered safety net
Managing staff
Trending HR issues your employee handbook should cover
According to a survey conducted by XpertHR, emerging HR issues are starting to appear in employee handbooks—but very slowly. It's hard to keep up "Employee handbooks continue to be a perennial challenge and opportunity for employers," says Peggy Carter-Ward, head of content for XpertHR, a provider of online compliance tools and guidance for HR professionals. "The … [Read more...] about Trending HR issues your employee handbook should cover
Wellness is a staff benefit and a productivity builder
A Miami firm has set up a wellness program that carries benefits for the attorneys and staff as well as for the firm itself. The firm began the program simply because promoting healthy living "is the right thing to do" in the working world, says Mario M. Rumasuglia, director of administration at Berger Singerman, which has 70 attorneys and 170 staff. And it's a win for both … [Read more...] about Wellness is a staff benefit and a productivity builder
Model Guide: Behavioral interview questions
Why you need this guide: When interviewing job candidates, it's essential to ascertain whether they have the knowledge and skills required for the position. How this guide helps you: This guide provides open-ended questions to ask candidates—allowing for answers that will provide the insight you seek. How to use this guide: Organized alphabetically by topic area, this guide … [Read more...] about Model Guide: Behavioral interview questions
Dealing with workplace accusations? It’s time to investigate
By Steve M. Cohen bio In dealing with your office staff, allegations of wrongdoing are never something you can ignore. Whether the charge involves sexual or racial harassment, bullying or something else, they must never be ignored. Never. Remember, an allegation by itself is neither fact nor fiction. It is simply a statement made by someone within your … [Read more...] about Dealing with workplace accusations? It’s time to investigate
What to cover in the office handbook and how to say it safely
While most firms have employee handbooks, few realize the responsibilities and even dangers a handbook creates. A handbook ensures that both firm and employees understand the full picture of the employment, says Beth De Lima, SPHR-CA, of HRM Consulting, a human resource management consulting company in San Diego, CA. It outlines what the firm expects from employees in terms … [Read more...] about What to cover in the office handbook and how to say it safely
Are you misleading job applicants during the interview process?
Six in 10 employees say they've found aspects of a new job different from expectations set during the interview process, according to a survey conducted by jobs and career marketplace Glassdoor. Areas where job reality differs from employee expectations include: Employee morale Job responsibilities Hours expected to work Boss' personality Career … [Read more...] about Are you misleading job applicants during the interview process?
Only 1 in 10 of your employees share your definition of success
A new global career survey of employees released recently by Right Management, the global career experts within ManpowerGroup, finds that only 10 percent of employees define career success as high performance and productivity. As employers struggle to find skilled and motivated individuals to meet performance goals, these findings indicate an ongoing disconnect between … [Read more...] about Only 1 in 10 of your employees share your definition of success
5 HR issues you need to review and keep on your radar
A law office manager has a wide range of responsibilities, which can make it difficult to keep every potential staff-related issue top of mind. Nevertheless, there are five human resources issues about which you should remain vigilant. 1 Discrimination Here are various types of discrimination, as identified and defined by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission … [Read more...] about 5 HR issues you need to review and keep on your radar
Have this one simple conversation to end staff’s personal Internet use
The manager of a Mississippi professional office relies on a basic management practice when she presents any new policy. “I make it a win-win situation,” says Beth C. Pharr. “I tell staff ‘this why it’s necessary, and this is how it benefits you.’” Such was the case when she set a policy to solve a problem common to almost every … [Read more...] about Have this one simple conversation to end staff’s personal Internet use