By Mike O'Brien bio A lawyer and doctor were talking together at a New Year's party when the doctor complained about how people always asked her for free medical advice. She said to the lawyer, "People probably always ask you for free legal advice…as a fellow professional, how do you deal with it?" The lawyer thought about it, and then said, "I always answer their … [Read more...] about Employment Law Update: The New Year’s Resolutions Edition
Risk management
Life of the ‘office’ party: Managers’ most embarrassing holiday party gaffes revealed
Falling into a pool, sleeping under a table, fighting with the boss and screaming like a werewolf – scenes from a rough weekend or a corporate event? Unfortunately, for those involved, it's the latter. A recent Robert Half survey of executives found these were just a few of managers' worst moments at holiday parties. Participants were asked about the most embarrassing thing … [Read more...] about Life of the ‘office’ party: Managers’ most embarrassing holiday party gaffes revealed
Can your employee’s mouth pull you into a defamation lawsuit?
By Lynne Curry bio "J.J." is a hard-working, talented manager who makes caustic statements when he stresses out. Although he initially offended you when you first started supervising him, you learned not to take his comments to heart. When others come to you upset, you tell them, "That's just J.J. being J.J." Some coworkers even appreciate J.J.'s bluntness. Several … [Read more...] about Can your employee’s mouth pull you into a defamation lawsuit?
Worried about a data breach? Here’s why you should be
Your greatest asset, your employees, can represent your greatest threat—a data breach— according to computer security experts John Simek and Michael Maschke. "If you are worried about a data breach, you should be," says Simek, who is vice-president of Sensei Enterprises Inc., a Fairfax, VA-based digital forensics, IT and cybersecurity company. "If somebody really wants to get … [Read more...] about Worried about a data breach? Here’s why you should be
Reduce your risk of malpractice claims with a centralized calendar system
At one time, the word "deadline" referred to a marked section of a prison yard that, if breached by a prisoner, would result in that prisoner being shot. Today, the word refers to a time limit that, if breached, doesn't usually result in gunfire, but still has serious consequences. What's the problem? Failure to meet a deadline, such as a statute of limitations, and other … [Read more...] about Reduce your risk of malpractice claims with a centralized calendar system
Yes, you can fire a client and still get paid
By Elizabeth M. Miller bio The frequency with which a client fires a lawyer is far greater than the frequency with which a lawyer fires a client. This is because lawyers will have their firm do almost anything to keep a client. But there comes a time in every lawyer's practice where you just cannot please that one client. It does not matter what concessions you make, how … [Read more...] about Yes, you can fire a client and still get paid
Managing political discussions in the workplace
By Lynne Curry bio During the Justice Kavanaugh confirmation hearings, more than fifty percent of Americans admitted they had taken part in political discussions in the workplace. Many of these discussions ended in conflict, frayed relationships, and tears. With the current high-stakes mid-term election, employers can expect more heated political discussions, … [Read more...] about Managing political discussions in the workplace
8 steps to quickly and (almost) painlessly creating an employee handbook tailored to your firm
Writing an employee handbook from scratch can be a very daunting task. Where do you start? What do you include? And how are you going to find time to write the thing? It's tempting to set the job aside and wait until work slows down a bit. Of course, if you wait for the perfect time to write, it's unlikely that you will actually do it at all. So we're here to help you get the … [Read more...] about 8 steps to quickly and (almost) painlessly creating an employee handbook tailored to your firm
How to deliver bad news to 3 kinds of underperforming employees
The talk of management isn't easy. Here are three especially difficult conversations to be prepared for: the "poor performance" discussion, the "no-raise-for-you" discussion, and the "we're-having-layoffs" discussion. Business consultant, corporate trainer, and psychotherapist Linnda Durre, Phd, of Winter Park, FL, outlines what to say, and what not to say, to get the message … [Read more...] about How to deliver bad news to 3 kinds of underperforming employees
4 ways to avoid the accidental attorney-client relationship
By Elizabeth M. Miller bio What is the accidental attorney-client relationship? This is a relationship that is formed most often after the potential client has consulted with an attorney and the potential client leaves the office mistakenly believing that the attorney has "taken their case." The key to this accidental relationship is that the attorney-client relationship has … [Read more...] about 4 ways to avoid the accidental attorney-client relationship