Medical Office Manager

Managing staff

Why your best talent is leaving and four ways to win them back

By William A. Schiemann, Ph.D  bio Most leaders of companies today recognize the importance of having engaged people at work. Yet research from the Metrus Institute, Gallup, and others say that between 50 and 80% are not fully engaged. For many organizations, a majority of employees are only partially engaged, which a lot of research has shown reduces performance and … [Read more...] about Why your best talent is leaving and four ways to win them back

3 mistakes that cause medical practice change initiatives to fail

By Nick Hernandez  bio Good is rarely good enough, and opportunities for improvement are never lacking. Unfortunately, the success rate of major change initiatives in medical practices is often low due to poor management of the change. Physician leaders and practice managers should expect and accept disruption and resistance to change, and never lose sight of the fact that … [Read more...] about 3 mistakes that cause medical practice change initiatives to fail

Are you offering your medical office staff the hottest summer perks?

What's the hottest summer perk? Workers surveyed by staffing firm OfficeTeam said they're most interested in flexible schedules (39 percent) and the ability to leave early on Fridays (30 percent). But it seems that employers have cooled off on providing these benefits. Sixty-two percent of human resources (HR) managers reported their organization offers flexible schedules at … [Read more...] about Are you offering your medical office staff the hottest summer perks?

Are changes in your medical practice leading to employee stress and distrust?

The American Psychological Association recently surveyed 1,500 U.S. adult employees and found that the negative effects on employees of changes in the workplace are not only far-reaching, but they may also undermine the very changes an organization is trying to implement. The survey found that American adults who have been affected by change at work are more likely to report … [Read more...] about Are changes in your medical practice leading to employee stress and distrust?

How to schedule employee vacations for maximum efficiency and minimum conflict

Ah, vacation. A time synonymous with sun, fun, and relaxation—unless of course you're the manager of a busy medical practice trying to create the office vacation schedule. Yes, staff members need, want, and OK, deserve time off, but how do you plan for vacations without adding stress to your calendar and causing employee conflict? Granting time off How much time off employees … [Read more...] about How to schedule employee vacations for maximum efficiency and minimum conflict

Now’s the time to enforce your summer dress code

After a long, cold winter, who doesn't look forward to a long, hot summer? For office managers, however, summer brings a new set of challenges, including what staff members wear to the office. Ah yes, warm weather work attire. Ultra-sheer blouses, midriff tops, plunging necklines, short skirts, shorts, and flip-flops. Whatever are they thinking? If you don't have a summer … [Read more...] about Now’s the time to enforce your summer dress code

8 traps to avoid when investigating a sexual harassment complaint

Don't rush to judgment—in either direction Back in the bad old days when employers didn't take sexual harassment seriously, harassment complaints were ignored or swept under the rug. To the extent they were investigated at all, the tendency was to downplay the complaint as exaggeration, fabrication or oversensitivity on the part of the victim. The good news: Today's employers … [Read more...] about 8 traps to avoid when investigating a sexual harassment complaint

In Florida, a wheel of fortune ends the not-my-job syndrome

A Florida manager has turned around the "that's-not-my-job" syndrome with a wheel of fortune that gets spun once a month and carries a dozen good items – gift certificates to car washes, movies, and grocery stores. The best is $100 cash. To spin the wheel, staff have to get nominated. And what they get nominated for is outstanding _____. The administrator of a pain management … [Read more...] about In Florida, a wheel of fortune ends the not-my-job syndrome

Model Tool: Checklist of steps to take when conducting an investigation

Why you need this checklist: When an employee makes a complaint, whether it's an accusation of sexual harassment, bullying or an alleged workplace safety hazard, you have an obligation to conduct a thorough and timely investigation. In many circumstances, the filing of a complaint sets in motion several legal and regulatory requirements for a business. How this checklist … [Read more...] about Model Tool: Checklist of steps to take when conducting an investigation