Emerging issues are emerging in employee handbooks. Paid sick leave tops the list of emerging issues most commonly addressed in employee handbooks, with 79.4% of respondents addressing this new legal trend in their handbooks, according to an XpertHR survey. Data privacy is the second most common issue addressed (67.2%) and social media is a close third (64.2%). The survey … [Read more...] about What’s in your employee handbook?
Managing staff
Recognition and rewards increase productivity at Maryland practice
"As an office manager for over 12 years, I started to see some burnout in our long-term employees, who I did not want to lose," says Denise Genuit, practice administrator at University of Maryland Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Associates. She tells Medical Office Manager she needed to find a significant way to improve productivity and get staff to exert more effort. At the same … [Read more...] about Recognition and rewards increase productivity at Maryland practice
Dealing with employees who aren’t there
By Steve M. Cohen bio One of the most mundane manager challenges can be dealing with employees who suddenly "aren't there." These are instances where workers arrive late, leave early or entirely miss a day. Obviously, a "perfect" employee would never do that, but this is not a perfect world and employees are not perfect, either. They have health issues, family … [Read more...] about Dealing with employees who aren’t there
‘Favorites’ list source of popular employee rewards
When Audrey M. Serban gives her staff members rewards for work done well, she can be sure the reward is something the employee will like. This is because she has a list of "favorites" for each staffer, and chooses the gift, large or small, from it. Serban, manager for a professional office in New Jersey, says, "I thought I'd share an idea that seems to work great. I created a … [Read more...] about ‘Favorites’ list source of popular employee rewards
Model Policy: Jewelry and tattoos
Why you need this model policy: This model jewelry and tattoos policy establishes guidelines for staff wearing jewelry or displaying tattoos. How this model policy helps you: This policy recognizes the value of personal self expression and establishes parameters for when personal appearance enhanced by jewelry or tattoos exceeds appropriate and reasonable workplace … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Jewelry and tattoos
Don’t take anything for granted
By Steve M. Cohen bio Both managers and employees should keep in mind that taking things for granted is usually a mistake. Although the psychology is fascinating, from a workplace perspective a key point is that you shouldn't dismiss something unless you're absolutely sure you have a replacement. That goes for a job, and it goes for good employees. Neither … [Read more...] about Don’t take anything for granted
Staff and remote access: more than patient information is at risk
Mobile technology, arguably, allows for greater efficiency and better communication. But, for the manager of a medical office, it also creates challenges. Staff who work remotely, even occasionally, may inadvertently share confidential information via unsecure networks when using smartphones and tablets, as well as personal laptops and notebook computers. Patient … [Read more...] about Staff and remote access: more than patient information is at risk
Your office’s social media policy: dangerous if not done right
By Paul Edwards bio Many medical practices don't realize their social media policy is a crisis waiting to happen. In three recent, real-life cases, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) found employers' actions to be unlawful when they disciplined or terminated employees who did the following: Employee A: Used a social media account to accuse the … [Read more...] about Your office’s social media policy: dangerous if not done right
Handling an “office sniper”
By Steve M. Cohen bio How do you stop the staff member who is rude and undermining? This is a surprisingly widespread problem with several variations. It's important that managers are prepared to deal with it, including cases where the opposition is not so obvious. One example involves an "office sniper." Snipers stay in hiding. They criticize the manager in a … [Read more...] about Handling an “office sniper”
Grief in termination is real
By Steve M. Cohen bio Unfortunately, you sometimes have to terminate someone. It's also unfortunate that this sometimes doesn't go well. That results in significant stress and related problems on both sides. Fortunately, an awareness of the emotional impact of termination can help you work with the soon-to-be terminated employee to make parting, and any … [Read more...] about Grief in termination is real