Without realizing it, a manager can create conflict. It comes from the way staff’s interruptions, questions, and suggestions get handled. Here are five automatic and all too common bad responses. 1 “I don’t have time for that now” A staffer comes in with a question, the manager is in the middle of work, and the response is “not now” or “can’t you take care of that … [Read more...] about 5 things you should never say to your staffers
Managing staff
January To-Do List for a Busy Law Office Manager
January marks the start of a new year, bringing opportunities to review, plan, and set your law office up for success. It’s the ideal time to address lingering tasks from the previous year while laying the groundwork for a productive and efficient year ahead. Here’s a detailed to-do list tailored to the needs of a busy law office manager. 1. Year-End Wrap-Up Ensure … [Read more...] about January To-Do List for a Busy Law Office Manager
Manager, Brace Yourself: The January Resignation Rush Is Coming
By Lynne Curry “My job’s been a pressure cooker of rush projects, travel and late-night emails for the last two years. The final straw came on Christmas. My boss decided I’d be the one to cover any calls, as everyone else was married. After that, it wasn’t a difficult decision. I’m trading my corporate paycheck for peace of mind and evenings and weekends off. My new job … [Read more...] about Manager, Brace Yourself: The January Resignation Rush Is Coming
Year-End Reflections: Taking Stock of Your Law Office’s Successes and Challenges
As the end of the year approaches, it’s an ideal time to step back and reflect on your law office’s performance. Year-end reflections provide a valuable opportunity to evaluate what went well, identify areas for growth, and set the stage for a more effective and productive year ahead. By taking an honest inventory of your successes and challenges, you can help your firm thrive … [Read more...] about Year-End Reflections: Taking Stock of Your Law Office’s Successes and Challenges
Performance Reviews: Love Them, Hate Them, or Just Survive Them
Managers have mixed feelings about performance reviews, reflecting both their potential benefits and significant challenges. Many recognize the importance of performance reviews for employee development and organizational alignment. However, traditional review methods often come under criticism for being ineffective and overly time-consuming ... and stressful for both … [Read more...] about Performance Reviews: Love Them, Hate Them, or Just Survive Them
Exploring the Four-Day Workweek: A Map for Law Office Administrators
As the conversation around workplace flexibility continues to evolve, the four-day workweek is gaining attention across various industries, including the legal sector. There have been some developments in the United States regarding the potential shift to a four-day workweek, but no widespread changes to federal employment laws have been enacted … [Read more...] about Exploring the Four-Day Workweek: A Map for Law Office Administrators
Just promoted to office manager? Follow these 9 critical rules to avoid problems managing former friends and colleagues
Getting promoted to office manager can be a mixed blessing. As a former staffer, the new manager comes into the job knowing the good performers, the bad performers, the shortcuts, the troublemakers—and a few secrets. But the former peers also know their new boss, including strengths, weaknesses, and what buttons to push. Along with that, they are wondering how their … [Read more...] about Just promoted to office manager? Follow these 9 critical rules to avoid problems managing former friends and colleagues
Get Ready for Employment Law Updates Coming in 2025
Coming up in 2025, there are several important employment law changes that managers should be aware of: Overtime Pay Threshold Increase: The Department of Labor (DOL) is expected to increase the salary threshold for overtime pay eligibility. Starting in early 2025, employees earning under $58,656 per year (up from $35,568) may become eligible for overtime pay under … [Read more...] about Get Ready for Employment Law Updates Coming in 2025
Prepare for Holiday Staffing by Managing Workloads and Leave Requests
As the holiday season approaches, you’re likely facing one of the trickiest balancing acts of the year—handling time-off requests while keeping the office running smoothly. The end of the year often brings a flood of leave requests as employees want to take time off to spend with family, travel, or simply recharge. At the same time, client demands and deadlines don’t slow down. … [Read more...] about Prepare for Holiday Staffing by Managing Workloads and Leave Requests
HR question: Political gear at work
By Lynne Curry Question: Our problems started in September. Four guys in the warehouse started wearing Camo “Make American Great Again” hats. Two weeks later, they installed in a handmade sign inside the warehouse door that said, “This is Trump Country.” It didn’t bother anyone, or so we thought. But apparently it did. Ten days later, two women in the accounting … [Read more...] about HR question: Political gear at work