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
Termination
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
Stupidity outside of work
By Steve M. Cohen bio I often end up addressing some of the sadder aspects of human behavior in and around the workplace. I have frequently been called by clients to help deal with issues such as sexual harassment and bullying, an employee who uses the n-word at work and someone who gets so drunk after work that they become incredibly obnoxious in public. … [Read more...] about Stupidity outside of work
How to manage personal cell phone use in the workplace
"Like many offices, we have had problems with employees using cell phones for personal calls, texts, etc. during business hours," says Beverly Bragg, administrator at San Antonio Preventive & Diagnostic Medicine. It hasn't been an easy problem to resolve. "Although we've talked about this issue on a routine basis at our monthly staff meetings, employees continued to use … [Read more...] about How to manage personal cell phone use in the workplace
Clichés aside, don’t cross ethical lines
By Steve M. Cohen bio Many of our most difficult decisions come down to ethics, and some of the most difficult ethical decisions are doubly difficult because they seem so ordinary. But no matter the external trappings, you should always use caution with ethical packages because they usually contain serious potential. One of my clients experienced a classic … [Read more...] about Clichés aside, don’t cross ethical lines
Due process: if it’s not written, it didn’t happen
By Steve M. Cohen bio Imagine an employee who is consistently late to work. The excuses abound—car trouble, overslept, lost track of time answering email, planned on staying later—you've probably heard them all. The manager warns the employee and for a week it improves. The next week, however, the employee is slipping again and is warned yet again. This game … [Read more...] about Due process: if it’s not written, it didn’t happen
How managers can avoid tripping on due process safety net
By Steve M. Cohen bio For many, spring is baseball or soccer season, a time to start getting out and enjoying life. But in your workplace, you will also find team sports that can impact your bottom line or organizational effectiveness. If someone in your organization is not playing ball the way they should, it's also a three-strike situation (or a red card, if you … [Read more...] about How managers can avoid tripping on due process safety net
With the right effort, even difficult employee issues can be solved
By Steve M. Cohen bio An employee who had been terminated from one of my client organizations later called the whistleblower/action hotline. She was using the hotline in an attempt to retrieve her job or, at least, to vent her anger and frustration at the situation. I listened and discovered that she had been terminated for frequent violations of the office dress … [Read more...] about With the right effort, even difficult employee issues can be solved
5 HR issues to review and keep on your radar
A medical office manager has a wide range of responsibilities, which can make it difficult to keep every potential staff-related issue top of mind. Nevertheless, there are five HR issues about which you should remain vigilant. 1 Discrimination Here are various types of discrimination, as identified and defined by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Note: … [Read more...] about 5 HR issues to review and keep on your radar