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
Your career
4 easy strategies for remembering names and passwords
By Lynne Curry bio Which problem fits you? Your clinic has grown and you don't remember the names of all the employees and you realize this hurts some employees' feelings. Several of the sites you regularly access ask you to change passwords monthly and you have a hard time remembering the newer passwords. Several longtime patients expect you … [Read more...] about 4 easy strategies for remembering names and passwords
Why the new Massachusetts law matters, regardless of where your practice is located
Massachusetts recently signed into law An Act to Establish Pay Equity, S.2119, which takes effect on July 1, 2018. The new law prevents wage discrimination based on gender. The law includes several noteworthy changes related to the employment process, but perhaps the most significant is that it prohibits employers from requiring applicants to provide their salary history … [Read more...] about Why the new Massachusetts law matters, regardless of where your practice is located
How to stop being a ‘hit and run’ supervisor
By Lynne Curry bio How many times have you left the scene of a hit and run employee accident? Have you dented any employee fenders this month? What did it cost you? When hit and run supervisors spot problem situations, they race to the scene, take fast action and speed away, not realizing they may have left one or more employee casualties in their wake. If you're … [Read more...] about How to stop being a ‘hit and run’ supervisor
Your personal social media posts: are they really personal?
A Vermont State Police trooper was recently forced to resign as a result of comments he posted to his personal Facebook page. Could this happen to you or a member of your staff? The story in Vermont An unidentified concerned citizen notified the Vermont State Police about the trooper's Facebook posts, according to the Rutland Herald, and the agency proceeded to … [Read more...] about Your personal social media posts: are they really personal?
$900 million in false billing results in charges against medical practices throughout the U.S.
Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell have announced an unprecedented nationwide sweep led by the Medicare Fraud Strike Force in 36 federal districts, resulting in criminal and civil charges against 301 individuals, including 61 doctors, nurses, and other licensed medical professionals, for their … [Read more...] about $900 million in false billing results in charges against medical practices throughout the U.S.
How to avoid talking politics with your boss and coworkers
Many folks agree, in theory, that it's wise to avoid talking politics with your colleagues. And yet this contentious election season it seems almost impossible to escape from distracting, annoying, and sometimes upsetting political commentary—even at work. Beverly Jones, executive coach and author of the book, "Think Like an Entrepreneur, Act Like a CEO," advises workers to … [Read more...] about How to avoid talking politics with your boss and coworkers
Looking for a job promotion? Relationships are critical
It makes good business sense—and is respectful professional etiquette—to stay in touch with your former bosses, says Allison & Taylor, the nation's oldest professional reference checking firm. As your career advances, your efforts to stay connected with past employers could pay dividends many times over when they provide you with favorable professional … [Read more...] about Looking for a job promotion? Relationships are critical
Less than half of U.S. workers believe their employer supports a healthy lifestyle
Despite the prevalence of workplace wellness efforts, only one-third of American workers say they regularly participate in the health promotion programs provided by their employer, according to a new survey by the American Psychological Association (APA), the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. Additionally, less than … [Read more...] about Less than half of U.S. workers believe their employer supports a healthy lifestyle
Exempt employee salary rules just changed: are you ready?
By Paul Edwards bio Medical practice owners and office managers are about to face a tough transition. The minimum salary at which an employee may qualify as "exempt" from overtime pay has just been changed to $47,476 per year by the Department of Labor—and by December 1, 2016, all businesses must comply. What's changing, and why? Under the old Fair Labor Standards … [Read more...] about Exempt employee salary rules just changed: are you ready?