Medical practices often stress to their patients the benefits of good nutrition and exercise. And that advice extends to staff members. The cost of obesity By some estimates, Americans spend as much as $316 billion annually on obesity-related medical treatment, and obesity-related absenteeism is estimated to cost employers $8.6 billion in lost productivity. The fattest … [Read more...] about Report highlights need for greater focus on employee health
Employee benefits
A four-day week improves quality of life as well as revenues for Florida office
Four days on with Fridays "sort of " off is terrific, says the practice manager of a five-physician, 28-staff medical office in Florida. Quality of life is improved with that extra day every week, she says. And the added advantage is that revenues are above and beyond what they were previously. The practice manager proposed the four-day schedule several years ago when gas was … [Read more...] about A four-day week improves quality of life as well as revenues for Florida office
What employee drug use is costing your practice
Workers with substance use disorders miss nearly 50 percent more days than their peers, and up to six weeks of work annually, according to analysis from the National Safety Council, NORC at the University of Chicago, and Shatterproof. Despite the alarming new statistics, there is a persistent gap between employer perceptions of impact and the actual human and business costs … [Read more...] about What employee drug use is costing your practice
How to make firing easier on everyone
The termination process is difficult for a manager, as well as the staffer being fired. These three steps won't alleviate all the pain, but they will make the process easier for all concerned. 1 Do it Friday While some human resources experts say firing is best done in the middle of the week, most recommend doing it on Friday afternoon. This time is best for the office because … [Read more...] about How to make firing easier on everyone
The heat is on: Six in 10 employees report increased work stress
Are your employees having trouble "keeping calm and carrying on" at work? If so, they're in the majority. More than half (52 percent) of workers said they are stressed at work on a day-to-day basis, and 60 percent reported work-related pressure has increased in the last five years, according to a new survey by staffing firm Accountemps. Their concerns are not lost on … [Read more...] about The heat is on: Six in 10 employees report increased work stress
How Mission Health fought back against burnout
According to a 2016 Advisory Board report, more than 50 percent of all physicians report symptoms of burnout, and an equal 50 percent of nurses report feeling emotionally exhausted. Burnout is associated with lower patient experience scores and lower physician levels of empathy, according to a 2014 Annals of Family Medicine study. In addition, burnout leads to greater … [Read more...] about How Mission Health fought back against burnout
PTO rollover: Is it required?
By Paul Edwards bio What does your practice do about unused PTO from last year? Doctors and office managers often ask us questions like this: "My employees want to know if I will roll over or pay out unused PTO from last year. Am I legally obligated to do this?" This question is more complex than it sounds! First, this issue depends heavily on state laws, as federal … [Read more...] about PTO rollover: Is it required?
Supervising and surviving virtual teams
By Lynne Curry bio As a manager, how can I supervise employees at remote locations—particularly when I never see them? If I work remotely, how do I make sure I stay on my supervisor's radar for promotional opportunities? Which employees thrive in virtual team situations? If you manage a virtual team If you manage employees you never meet face-to-face, you may feel … [Read more...] about Supervising and surviving virtual teams
Six key questions arising from the Trump/ACA executive order
Milliman, Inc., a global consulting and actuarial firm, has compiled six questions for consideration by healthcare stakeholders about the Trump Administration's recent executive order, which gives a sweeping command to the leaders of the new administration to unwind certain aspects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)—especially those components deemed … [Read more...] about Six key questions arising from the Trump/ACA executive order
Anxious millennials seek stability and opportunity to make a difference
Want to retain your millennial staff members? Offer them stability and the chance to contribute to a good cause. A turbulent 2016—punctuated by terror attacks in Europe, Brexit, and a contentious US presidential election—appears to have rattled millennials' confidence, according to Deloitte's sixth annual Millennial Survey. They indicate they're less likely to leave the … [Read more...] about Anxious millennials seek stability and opportunity to make a difference