Performance reviews: You don’t like to do them, employees dread them and they may not be all that effective in improving work behavior. Here are five alternatives to an annual performance review. Regular feedback sessions: Instead of a once-a-year review, schedule regular feedback sessions throughout the year to discuss performance and provide feedback. These sessions … [Read more...] about 6 ways to dodge the dreaded performance review
Managing staff
Model Form: Applause Sheet
Why you need this model Applause Sheet: This is a quick and easy way to help develop and maintain positive relationships among the people in your office. How this model Applause Sheet helps you: Using this form at your regular staff meetings may not only end negative attitudes among staff, it might also help keep a positive attitude going indefinitely. How to use this model … [Read more...] about Model Form: Applause Sheet
An inexpensive organizational fix: communication
By Dr. Steve M. Cohen I’ve found that most organizations can benefit significantly from a simple, low-cost change in their operations: more two-way communication. For busy law office managers, time can be among their most valuable commodities so I don’t make this recommendation lightly. But even a few minutes each day to foster better communication with your staff can … [Read more...] about An inexpensive organizational fix: communication
Think long and hard before friending work colleagues on Facebook
By Lynne Curry I get it. You love Facebook and when individuals you work with requested you add them as friends, you did. At first, you didn’t have any trouble. Instead, you had the fun of seeing your coworkers’ interesting endeavors and the reinforcing experience of so many colleagues wanting to be your friends and then liking your posts. But then it happened. … [Read more...] about Think long and hard before friending work colleagues on Facebook
Nurturing talent: Unleashing the potential of employees
Retaining top talent is crucial for the success of any law office. To do so, law office managers must recognize the importance of developing and empowering high-potential employees. By identifying these individuals and providing them with leadership opportunities, you can not only increase their job satisfaction but also enhance the overall performance and growth of your law … [Read more...] about Nurturing talent: Unleashing the potential of employees
To-Dos: Your March office checklist
March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. That's outside, where winter storms give way to springtime calm. Inside, there can also be a whirlwind of activity, especially if you're tackling office-wide organizational and spring-cleaning projects. If this is the month you strive to bring order to the firm, here are some tasks you can tackle. The office: 1. … [Read more...] about To-Dos: Your March office checklist
5 ways to help your team members overcome burnout
The last several years have been rough on everyone in the workplace, including law offices. Chances are someone on your team has had enough of the pressures from work, family, finances, the public health emergency and other turmoil in society. As a manager, you want to help. Here are four ideas to get you started: Help organize and prioritize work into manageable and … [Read more...] about 5 ways to help your team members overcome burnout
Must employee notify our office of DUI?
QUESTION If one of our employees gets a DUI, do they have to notify us? ANSWER It depends. EXPLANATION There are at least four factors affecting whether the employee would have to come forward and tell you about the DUI? Your HR policies: What, if anything, do your current policies say about whether employees must notify you of their DUIs? Conviction or … [Read more...] about Must employee notify our office of DUI?
Research report: Recognition good for engagement and beating burnout
New research show four practical steps organizations can take to improve culture through the power of recognition. Workhuman and Gallup have released a report, Empowering Workplace Culture Through Recognition, which examines the significance of recognition in the workplace as both a foundational element and a catalyst for organizational culture. Employees who strongly agree … [Read more...] about Research report: Recognition good for engagement and beating burnout
4 steps to take immediately when a workplace romance blossoms in your office
To meet that one special guy or gal. . . . it's the stuff dreams are made of. But when that love connection takes place within a workplace, it can be an employer's worst nightmare. Couples that live happily ever after are manageable. But when a workplace romance ends in breakup, it usually creates big problems at work. This hasn't changed in the era of remote work; studies have … [Read more...] about 4 steps to take immediately when a workplace romance blossoms in your office