If you ever need to terminate an employee, one of the best tools you can have is an employee handbook that sets out clear policies and is kept up-to-date with changes in employment laws, says Chris Lessard, a California attorney who specializes in HR issues. Lessard, who is J.D. Solution Center Advisor to CEDR HR Solutions, says employee handbooks can protect medical practice … [Read more...] about Can your employee handbook help you safely terminate an employee?
Termination
How to handle the 4 most common types of “disconnected” staffers
Why don't those staffers perform the way the manager wants them to perform? To a great extent it's because there's no connection between the staffer and the job. For an employee to do well, there have to be three connectors. They are: fit (or intellectual connection) passion (or emotional connection); and ownership (a sense of having enough importance to think and act like an … [Read more...] about How to handle the 4 most common types of “disconnected” staffers
Cheap management tricks that really work
By Dr. Steve M. Cohen Sometimes office management is more a matter of quickly throwing out a good answer rather than some profound strategy or statement. I'm not trying to minimize the organization and old-fashioned brainpower that goes into managing an organization. If you've read many of my blogs, you know that I view your job as challenging and often frustrating. It's … [Read more...] about Cheap management tricks that really work
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
22 questions a manager should ask before firing an employee
By Lynne Curry bio The final revenge of the fired employee: The manager makes an unwitting but critical mistake that unravels the firing decision or results in a painful payout to the employee. If you'd like to fire an employee without backfire, you need to consider good faith and just cause, then ask yourself twenty-two questions. Good faith Courts in … [Read more...] about 22 questions a manager should ask before firing an employee
5 guidelines that save you if you supervise a bully employee
By Lynne Curry bio Do you supervise a bully employee? An employee who sees your job as a promotional opportunity and will stop at nothing to get you out of the way? If you supervise a bully employee, you know the angst. Supposedly, you have more power, and so should be able to handle the employee's antics. Except the bully employee might have the protection of … [Read more...] about 5 guidelines that save you if you supervise a bully employee
Office predators can take many forms
By Steve M. Cohen bio Although human behavior covers a huge range, it can often be categorized into several general areas. One of these categories is "opportunistic" and could even be described as predatory. With this kind of behavior, the individual sees an opportunity to take advantage of a person or a situation and then does so. For example, I overheard two … [Read more...] about Office predators can take many forms
Double standards never work at work
By Steve M. Cohen bio An overly hard and arbitrary management style is rarely a good idea, but when it's directed at one employee or even one group of employees it's almost guaranteed to be a problem. I dealt with one manager who frequently resorted to a style that was harsh, arbitrary, and capricious behavior when dealing with one employee. The worker was … [Read more...] about Double standards never work at work
Family and business: not always the best mix
By Steve M. Cohen bio In my experience, nepotism often brings a range of personal and organizational issues that are worth noting. First, let me acknowledge that there is clearly a place in many offices where related people work together. The classic case is a small office, but even some larger organizations can avoid problems if they are careful. But there are … [Read more...] about Family and business: not always the best mix
Dealing with the cell phone abusers, the smokers, and the too-jolly staffer
Here are three people questions. They cover the cell phone and Internet users, the smokers, and the staffer who wastes time entertaining everybody. They are answered by Jonna Contacos-Sawyer, SPHR, CCP, CMC, president and consulting principal of HR Consultants, a management and human resources firm in Johnstown, PA. • What’s the most effective way to limit personal use of … [Read more...] about Dealing with the cell phone abusers, the smokers, and the too-jolly staffer