By Steve M. Cohen bio I'm sure you've seen advice regarding employee bonus and incentive systems, including some that are quite complex. The idea is that, to achieve a high-performance workplace, you need to motivate employees and achieve maximum efficiency. None of this is wrong, but I often suggest another strategy that surprises a lot of people: just get rid … [Read more...] about Making tough decisions: reward good employees by removing bad ones
Managing staff
Three kinds of irritating staffers and how to deal with them amicably
The worst part of any manager’s job is dealing with problem behavior. And that’s the very part of the job that can never be ignored, says Cathleen C. Snyder, SPHR, senior human resources consultant with Strategic HR Inc., a Cincinnati human resources consulting and outsourcing firm. Allow the behavior to continue, and besides the fact that it’s a pain to live with, the other … [Read more...] about Three kinds of irritating staffers and how to deal with them amicably
Keep your medical office humming by keeping employees engaged
By Steve M. Cohen bio Every organization faces management issues that, if ignored, can be perilous. A recent story told of a suburban bank that lost a huge chunk of its staff when some 35 employees left within a single week. Without knowing the details, it's impossible to guess the causes. But it's very likely this business suffered fundamental organizational … [Read more...] about Keep your medical office humming by keeping employees engaged
The ADA and mental illness, medications, suicide, alcoholism, and threats
Mental disorders, threats of suicide, medication side effects, addiction—they create some confusing issues with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Here are some points managers need to know about the ADA and disciplining, firing, and hiring staff who come under these umbrellas. They are outlined by employment law attorney Myra K. Creighton of Fisher & Phillips in … [Read more...] about The ADA and mental illness, medications, suicide, alcoholism, and threats
OSHA addresses employer responsibility regarding transgender workers
The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration released a guideline June 1, 2015 addressing workplace restrooms and access for transgender workers. The "Guide to Restroom Access for Transgender Workers" (Guide) addresses an employer's responsibility under OSHA standards to provide transgender workers access to sanitary toilet facilities. "The … [Read more...] about OSHA addresses employer responsibility regarding transgender workers
Being mean and being effective are not the same thing
By Steve M. Cohen bio The New York Times had a great article June 19, 2015, "No Time to Be Nice at Work." Author Christine Porath is on target regarding several significant concerns that are especially relevant today. One of the first things that struck me was her points that incivility has been growing, and that it definitely has costs. Porath joins others in … [Read more...] about Being mean and being effective are not the same thing
How to handle “emergency” appointment requests that really aren’t emergencies
Does your practice seem to be getting a lot of emergency appointment requests lately? If so, you’re not alone. Patients are under the impression that if they say they have an emergency, they will get the earliest possible appointment. Obviously, all these emergencies present challenges. There are only so many emergency appointment openings, which means you or someone on … [Read more...] about How to handle “emergency” appointment requests that really aren’t emergencies
Model Tool: Employee confidentiality agreement
Why you need this model tool: Medical office staff have access to a wide range of confidential information, including but not limited to patient records. How this model tool helps you: This tool allows you to highlight the importance of confidentiality, and to obtain a staff member's signature acknowledging that she/he understands the repercussions of not maintaining … [Read more...] about Model Tool: Employee confidentiality agreement
The 1099 trap: why your independent contractors might be employees in disguise
By Paul Edwards bio To quote Shakespeare (kind of): "An employee by any other name is still an employee to the IRS and the Department of Labor." If your office employs independent contractors, it pays to make sure they aren't really employees that you've inadvertently misclassified. Classification mistakes can trigger a painful audit of your practice and a hefty … [Read more...] about The 1099 trap: why your independent contractors might be employees in disguise
The ADEA is waiting and watching for violations
Anybody as old as 40? Age discrimination can creep in quietly and unexpectedly. It can come even from some well intentioned remark such as “you’re overqualified for this job,” the term overqualified being taken as a euphemism for old. Here, Alix Rubin, an employment law attorney in West Caldwell, NJ, outlines the elements of age discrimination managers need to know … [Read more...] about The ADEA is waiting and watching for violations