By Lynne Curry Question: Three hours after my red-eye landed, I arrived at the office Monday morning and booted up my computer. Unfortunately, my brain didn’t boot up with it. I’m just not ready for my inbox to glare at me with 247 unread messages and a calendar packed tighter than a TSA line. Ten days ago, I left my spreadsheets and Slack threads behind to hike … [Read more...] about After Vacation Blues: Fixing the Post-Vacation Slump
vacation
Time to Talk Time Off: Getting Summer Vacations on the Calendar
April is the perfect time to get ahead of the summer scramble by nailing down everyone’s vacation plans. As an office manager, you know that warm weather brings sunshine, sandals—and a flurry of PTO requests that can leave you short-staffed if you’re not careful. The earlier you start organizing summer schedules, the smoother the season will be for everyone. Here’s how to … [Read more...] about Time to Talk Time Off: Getting Summer Vacations on the Calendar
Take a Well-Deserved Break This Thanksgiving: How to Unplug and Recharge
With Thanksgiving just a few days away, it’s time to think about how you’ll step away from the demands of managing a busy medical office and truly enjoy the holiday. As a medical office manager, you’re used to juggling responsibilities, solving problems, and keeping everything running smoothly. But even the best managers need a break, and Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity … [Read more...] about Take a Well-Deserved Break This Thanksgiving: How to Unplug and Recharge
Summer vacation staffing checklist for medical office managers
Planning for summer staffing, when many people want to be away on vacation, should have started well before today, but here's a checklist to make sure you have thought of everything. 1. Plan Early and Communicate: Request Vacation Schedules Early: Ask staff to submit their vacation requests at least 2-3 months in advance. Create a Vacation Calendar: Post a visible … [Read more...] about Summer vacation staffing checklist for medical office managers
Checklist: Is the office ready for your summer vacation?
Your long-awaited and well-deserved summer vacation is approaching. Is your staff prepared to run the office smoothly in your absence? Use this list to see if you have the bases covered. Vacation Preparation Checklist for Busy Medical Office Managers Delegate Responsibilities: Identify competent staff members to handle key tasks during your absence. Assign … [Read more...] about Checklist: Is the office ready for your summer vacation?
Work junkies: Unwilling to disconnect on vacation
By Lynne Curry Question: My husband gets furious when I bring my laptop on our Hawaiian vacations, but I enjoy vacations more if I remain connected. I run a small medical office, and like to stay on top of things and let my employees know I’m there for them. Part of the issue is that I love my work and my husband hates his job. If I have my laptop with me, I can check in with … [Read more...] about Work junkies: Unwilling to disconnect on vacation
Who tops the nation in vacation days?
Last year, Americans used 17.2 vacation days, the most since 2010 according to new research from Project: Time Off. Despite this marked improvement, 52 percent of employees reported leaving vacation days unused at the end of the year. The new report, Under-Vacationed America: A State-by-State Look at Time Off and Travel, provides a look at vacation behavior in all 50 states. … [Read more...] about Who tops the nation in vacation days?
Vacation trends by city: Who’s leaving vacation days on the table and why?
U.S. workers will not leave work very far behind—if at all—during the week of December 25, according to Robert Half's holiday survey. Eighteen percent of workers plan to work the entire week. Of the 67 percent of workers who will take at least part of Christmas week off, 64 percent will check in with the office while they're out. One-third of employees plan to take the entire … [Read more...] about Vacation trends by city: Who’s leaving vacation days on the table and why?
Is this how you spent your summer vacation?
Editor's picks: Why taking your vacation is worth the hassle How to schedule employee vacations for maximum efficiency and minimum conflict This year's unused sick days become next year's personal days … [Read more...] about Is this how you spent your summer vacation?
Why taking your vacation is worth the hassle
If you can't remember the last time you took a vacation, you're not alone. While American workers are stressed, they're not taking time away from work. According to a survey conducted online earlier this year by Harris Poll on behalf of CareerBuilder, 3 in 5 workers (61 percent) say they are burned out in their current job, and 31 percent report high or extremely high levels of … [Read more...] about Why taking your vacation is worth the hassle