Why you need this notice: Holiday and other office parties often include alcohol, and excessive alcohol consumption poses risks for employees. How this notice helps you: By letting employees know about your concerns for their safety, and providing recommendations for safe behavior, you are acting responsibly. How to use this notice: Modify this notice for your practice. … [Read more...] about Model Notice: Alcohol consumption at practice party
Managing staff
Should you put a lid on political talk in the office?
The current presidential campaign is certainly intriguing. Who doesn't have an opinion about a recent rally, debate or op-ed? No doubt your staff members do. But do you want them to voice these opinions at the office? With political sentiments high—and getting higher—one issue that managers face is how to keep the discussions between staff members from becoming heated to the … [Read more...] about Should you put a lid on political talk in the office?
Don’t make the right move for the wrong reasons
By Steve M. Cohen bio I'm sure you've heard people use expressions like, "it will all come out in the wash." I suspect this phrase is now a bit dated, but the idea is that even if things start in a negative way, they'll be all right in the end. I generally agree with this philosophy, but if you're a medical office manager, it's not a solution I would count on. … [Read more...] about Don’t make the right move for the wrong reasons
5 proven ways to motivate your staff without spending money
Motivating staff isn’t a matter of money. It’s a matter of management, says business and leadership coach Monica Wofford of Contagious Companies in Orlando, FL. Here she lists five good motivators within reach of any manager, regardless of the payroll budget. Fit the person to the job Find out what each staffer’s skills and interests are and align those elements with the … [Read more...] about 5 proven ways to motivate your staff without spending money
Stress should be recognized and dealt with quickly
By Steve M. Cohen bio Workplace stress is a topic that is often covered, including by this blog. It's also a topic that managers continue to find challenging—and a problem for their teams and office performance. With new regulations almost weekly, late payments, and backed up waiting rooms, it's not always easy to maintain a positive environment. Unfortunately, as … [Read more...] about Stress should be recognized and dealt with quickly
Changes to watch for in disability and absence management
Employee leave continues to undergo change and become increasingly complex. Although several regulations, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Americans with Disabilities Act and Amendments Act (ADA/AA), have been in place for several years, legal interpretation and application are subject to ongoing clarification. Meanwhile, regulatory initiatives under the … [Read more...] about Changes to watch for in disability and absence management
Model Policy: Telecommuting
Why you need this policy: You need a policy to protect your medical office from employment law problems and liability when employees work at home. How this policy helps you: This policy will help you set the terms of work at home arrangements so that everyone understands and complies. How to use this policy: Review this tool, adapt it to your organization and insert your … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Telecommuting
You can’t do it all
By Steve M. Cohen bio I've been asked, even criticized, about focusing too much on the "soft" side of management. I'm asked why I don't discuss more "concrete" issues like medical billing software or the latest Medicare requirements. One answer is that these are not my areas of expertise. But the most important answer for you is that these are not the really … [Read more...] about You can’t do it all
Avoid these 4 deadly discrimination traps when hiring or firing
The possibilities of stirring up a discrimination claim when hiring and firing are endless. All that's needed is an assertion, however thin, that the decision was based on some wrongful reason. Here are four areas that can take a manager by surprise. Dear Applicant: You're not hired. First is the letter of rejection the office sends to its turned-down job applicants. Don't … [Read more...] about Avoid these 4 deadly discrimination traps when hiring or firing
Get a grip on costly office gossip
By Dr. Steve M. Cohen No matter how distracting, office gossip is something that no manager will ever completely eradicate. Like other human foibles, it's too ingrained in our systems. That doesn't mean you should ignore it or let it dominate your workplace. Office gossip is increasingly dangerous to many workplaces, including medical offices. It's not that people do it more … [Read more...] about Get a grip on costly office gossip