"How can I help?" It's a question that many employees ask when a co-worker or a co-worker's family member is facing a serious medical issue. And one way that employers can facilitate assistance is to allow employees to donate time off to their co-workers who have exhausted all available leave. At first glance, a leave-sharing program appears to be a win-win-win … [Read more...] about How to implement a leave-sharing program
Employee benefits
How to maintain a well-rested staff and reduce the risk of costly mistakes
It's time for a wake-up call: Nearly three-quarters (74 percent) of U.S. employees say they work while tired, with nearly one-third (31 percent) saying they do so very often, according to a survey by staffing firm Accountemps. The costs of working tired—both for professionals and the businesses they work for—are high: Respondents cite lack of focus or being easily distracted … [Read more...] about How to maintain a well-rested staff and reduce the risk of costly mistakes
17 benefits that employees like and the firm can afford
A dilemma almost every administrator faces today is how to provide worthwhile staff benefits in an economy that doesn't allow for extra expense. So we researched the benefits that legal offices, as well as other types of businesses, are offering. Some are astounding. Google, for example, provides free haircuts, financial assistance for adoption, free gourmet lunches, and an … [Read more...] about 17 benefits that employees like and the firm can afford
2 proven ways to build staff morale fast
What builds staff morale? Letting staff participate in the office's operations, getting their ideas, and using their suggestions are good for morale. And there are two ways to achieve these ends: One is to survey staff on their attitudes and opinions; the other is to set up a suggestion program. These simple actions work because people want to be listened to. Your staff want … [Read more...] about 2 proven ways to build staff morale fast
The surprising answer to what your staff really wants
Flexible work arrangements are often at or near the top of survey lists. And yes, money matters. But, perhaps surprising, career development also gets top rankings. Employees want to acquire knowledge and learn new skills in order to do their jobs and advance their careers. What's more, development opportunities play an important role in keeping staff members – and … [Read more...] about The surprising answer to what your staff really wants
Want to improve attorney tech use? Start by breaking down silos in your firm
By Michelle Spencer bio I have long wondered why there are two different teams in law firms doing similar functions. I am referring to the professional development and technology training teams. Both of the teams perform learning and development functions, and yet they are usually in two different departments that work alone, except in rare instances. They … [Read more...] about Want to improve attorney tech use? Start by breaking down silos in your firm
Start off staff’s year by putting the focus on professional growth
A good way to start off a year is with a professional development plan for each staffer. And call it such, says Richard Lepsinger, president of OnPoint Consulting in New York. It's not a vehicle for recognizing shortcomings in a staffer's performance that have to be improved. Instead, it's a discussion of capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses and how to grow during the … [Read more...] about Start off staff’s year by putting the focus on professional growth
U.S. employers to offer much merriment over the holidays
Bloomberg Law has released the results of its annual year-end holiday practices survey on how companies manage paid holidays and days off, office parties, and gifts and bonuses over the winter holidays, and it seems the next two weeks will be a good time for many of us. "With Christmas and New Year's falling on Mondays, fewer employers are inclined to provide another paid day … [Read more...] about U.S. employers to offer much merriment over the holidays
Nightmare on Main Street: Scary commutes
As the spookiest day of the year approaches, staffing firm Robert Half highlights the cities with the most hair-raising commutes. Last month, the company surveyed more than 2,700 workers from 27 major U.S. cities to determine how long they spend commuting to and from the office and which cities have the most stressed-out commuters. Here are the results: Average round-trip … [Read more...] about Nightmare on Main Street: Scary commutes
Tackle silly problems with silly solutions and boost morale
For the small problems inherent in any office's staff, one manager has two easy solutions: humor and once-a-day positive notes. The humor comes in the form of silly contests to solve equally silly—though very human—problems. "They're nonsensical, but they reduce tension," says the Georgia office manager. One, for example, was an ongoing complaint that nobody replaced the … [Read more...] about Tackle silly problems with silly solutions and boost morale