Terminations are what spark the vast majority of today’s employment law claims, says employment defense attorney Shari Lane. That’s one area where managers can’t afford to make mistakes. Step back before pulling the trigger Safety starts with two obvious precautions, Lane says. First, review the record. Make sure it explains what has led to the decision. If there’s not … [Read more...] about How to keep the office safe from the lawyers when a staffer gets fired
Managing staff
The why, when, and how of a severance agreement and what it needs to cover
A severance agreement can benefit both employer and employee. On the employer side, it’s an insurance policy against employee litigation. “It thwarts claims by former employees,” says employment law attorney Jonathan B. Orleans of Pullman & Comley in Bridgeport, CT. And on the employee side, it softens the blow of being without work and tides people over until they can … [Read more...] about The why, when, and how of a severance agreement and what it needs to cover
Model Policy: Employee resignation
Why you need this model policy: Establishing a formal policy for employee resignation will help ensure that staff transitions go smoothly; the practice treats employees fairly and consistently; and legal requirements are followed. How this model policy helps you: Use this model policy as a guide to establish a formal, written policy for employee resignation. How to use … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Employee resignation
Office “families” require work, no matter the makeup
By Steve M. Cohen bio Medical offices are a unique brand of organization that frequently face their own challenges and opportunities. A good example involves situations where one or more relatives work together in the office. This "nepotism" is not always as negative as that may sound, but it does raise several possible concerns. I would not avoid the situation … [Read more...] about Office “families” require work, no matter the makeup
Medical biller sentenced to 45 months in prison for role in $4 million health care fraud scheme
The medical biller of a Chicago-area visiting physician practice was recently sentenced to 45 months in prison for her role in a $4 million health care fraud scheme. Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Fardon of the Northern District of Illinois, Special Agent in Charge Lamont Pugh III of the … [Read more...] about Medical biller sentenced to 45 months in prison for role in $4 million health care fraud scheme
Secrecy in the age of social media: six ways to keep sensitive practice information offline
You can be sure that most of your employees are active on social media. For younger ones, in fact, using Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are as natural as breathing. According to James Pooley, author of "Secrets: Managing Information Assets in the Age of Cyberespionage," social media and the sharing culture it has sparked are very real threats to organizations. "The … [Read more...] about Secrecy in the age of social media: six ways to keep sensitive practice information offline
Model Policy: Workplace bullying
Why you need this policy: Workplace bullying is a serious and common occurrence, and your practice has a responsibility to make sure it does everything possible to prevent it. How this policy helps you: This policy helps define workplace bullying, and provides guidelines for what will not be tolerated. How to use this policy: Customize this policy for your medical … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Workplace bullying
These office engagements don’t involve a ring
By Steve M. Cohen bio It's always exciting when someone at the office gets engaged to marry. There's another type of engagement that is important at work: engagement in the job. For any staff member, manager or even an owner/partner, there are key questions: Are you engaged? Is your staff engaged? The answers are critical. I often quote the Gallagher Organization. … [Read more...] about These office engagements don’t involve a ring
Try this “win-win” solution to stop personal internet use by staff
Manager Beth C. Pharr of North East Orthopaedics in Tupelo, MS, relies on a basic management practice when she presents any new policy. "I make it a win-win situation," she says. "I tell staff 'this why it's necessary, and this is how it benefits you.'" Such was the case when Pharr set a policy to solve a problem common to almost every office – personal internet use. To … [Read more...] about Try this “win-win” solution to stop personal internet use by staff
Handling complainers: every office has one, but what should you do?
By Steve M. Cohen bio Handling an "office complainer" may be one of the most overlooked management issues in the books. We all know a complainer—someone who never seems to be happy with the way things are, and often attributes to others their perceived woes and the perceived woes of any organization they're involved with. This can be a minor issue. In fact, most of us are … [Read more...] about Handling complainers: every office has one, but what should you do?