By Lynne Curry Question: For our mandatory manager meetings, I show up on time so my attendance is noted, and then get through the meetings by multi-tasking. It’s easy enough to hear what’s said as I get other work done. I cover this up by always making a positive comment on at least one of the manager’s proposals. I leave my video off, though, and when the manager chastised … [Read more...] about Zoom hiders: Camera shy or disengaged?
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Roe v. Wade wars in the workplace
By Lynne Curry Question: Our office employs an interesting mix of personalities. In the past, this made for intense discussions about politics and world events, until last week when the U.S. Supreme Court’s potential overturn of Roe v. Wade leaked. The discussion became hateful and resulted in personal attacks. The manager stopped it, but not soon enough. HR then interviewed … [Read more...] about Roe v. Wade wars in the workplace
Changed jobs: What have I done?
By Lynne Curry You expect to feel angry when fired from a job you enjoy. You expect to feel scared when laid off from a job at which you felt secure. You don’t expect to feel rotten one week after you intentionally make a career move from a job you've outgrown to one that promises to be challenging and rewarding. So why are you so rattled during your first week on this new … [Read more...] about Changed jobs: What have I done?
It’s harder to find and keep office workers
Echoing reports of ongoing labor shortages, a new survey confirms that a vast majority of organizations are facing extreme difficulty finding and retaining qualified workers. But, the survey reveals, these challenges are no longer being driven solely by a lack manual services workers, as previous trends have indicated. Rather, office workers are now significantly harder to both … [Read more...] about It’s harder to find and keep office workers
CMS accepts applications for hardship exceptions
The MIPS Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Exception and MIPS Promoting Interoperability Performance Category Hardship Exception applications are now open for the 2022 performance year. Applications can be submitted until Dec. 31. MIPS Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Exception Application Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) eligible clinicians, groups, … [Read more...] about CMS accepts applications for hardship exceptions
Caregiver caught between employer’s expectations and family’s needs
By Lynne Curry As managers require employees to spend more time at the office, they will encounter special circumstances that require special solutions. Consider the following situation of an employee needing to work from home to provide family care. Employee question: Since our schools no longer require masks, my husband and I decided to homeschool our youngest child. My … [Read more...] about Caregiver caught between employer’s expectations and family’s needs
Over half of workers would quit if required to return to office
After two years of office spaces sitting empty, many companies are eager to call employees back for good. In a survey of more than 800 senior managers, more than half of respondents (55 per cent) said they want their teams to work on-site full time as COVID-19-related restrictions ease, nearly unchanged from a similar survey conducted last year. Currently, 44 per cent of … [Read more...] about Over half of workers would quit if required to return to office
7 ways to cut costs with a greener office
By Daryll Esposito The well-being of our planet is a universal concern, but it’s not always front-of-mind when we’re busy at work. The good news is that making greener choices at the office is not only better for the environment, it’s better for your budget too. With Earth Day this week on April 22, it’s time to look at some environmentally friendly improvements. Some common … [Read more...] about 7 ways to cut costs with a greener office
Stopping a bully senior manager without losing your job
By Lynne Curry Question: I face a situation that has no easy answer and no good solution. As the newly hired human resources director, I supposedly enforce our organization's code of conduct and oversee the human resource issues. I report to the report to the chief operating officer, a bully who runs roughshod over any employee unlucky enough to cross his path. If I keep my … [Read more...] about Stopping a bully senior manager without losing your job
5 ways to say goodbye to the procrastination blues
By Lynne Curry The report’s good, but not good enough. You should have worked on it a week ago, but you put it off. Friday afternoon, you panicked. You killed a perfectly good weekend to get everything finished by the Monday morning due date. If you want to break the “put it off until nearly too late” habit, try these five strategies. 1. Decide you’ll start projects when you … [Read more...] about 5 ways to say goodbye to the procrastination blues