By William A. Schiemann, Ph.D bio Most leaders of companies today recognize the importance of having engaged people at work. Yet research from the Metrus Institute, Gallup, and others say that between 50 and 80% are not fully engaged. For many organizations, a majority of employees are only partially engaged, which a lot of research has shown reduces performance and … [Read more...] about Why your best talent is leaving and four ways to win them back
Employee benefits
Are you offering your medical office staff the hottest summer perks?
What's the hottest summer perk? Workers surveyed by staffing firm OfficeTeam said they're most interested in flexible schedules (39 percent) and the ability to leave early on Fridays (30 percent). But it seems that employers have cooled off on providing these benefits. Sixty-two percent of human resources (HR) managers reported their organization offers flexible schedules at … [Read more...] about Are you offering your medical office staff the hottest summer perks?
How to schedule employee vacations for maximum efficiency and minimum conflict
Ah, vacation. A time synonymous with sun, fun, and relaxation—unless of course you're the manager of a busy medical practice trying to create the office vacation schedule. Yes, staff members need, want, and OK, deserve time off, but how do you plan for vacations without adding stress to your calendar and causing employee conflict? Granting time off How much time off employees … [Read more...] about How to schedule employee vacations for maximum efficiency and minimum conflict
Report highlights need for greater focus on employee health
Medical practices often stress to their patients the benefits of good nutrition and exercise. And that advice extends to staff members. The cost of obesity By some estimates, Americans spend as much as $316 billion annually on obesity-related medical treatment, and obesity-related absenteeism is estimated to cost employers $8.6 billion in lost productivity. The fattest … [Read more...] about Report highlights need for greater focus on employee health
A four-day week improves quality of life as well as revenues for Florida office
Four days on with Fridays "sort of " off is terrific, says the practice manager of a five-physician, 28-staff medical office in Florida. Quality of life is improved with that extra day every week, she says. And the added advantage is that revenues are above and beyond what they were previously. The practice manager proposed the four-day schedule several years ago when gas was … [Read more...] about A four-day week improves quality of life as well as revenues for Florida office
What employee drug use is costing your practice
Workers with substance use disorders miss nearly 50 percent more days than their peers, and up to six weeks of work annually, according to analysis from the National Safety Council, NORC at the University of Chicago, and Shatterproof. Despite the alarming new statistics, there is a persistent gap between employer perceptions of impact and the actual human and business costs … [Read more...] about What employee drug use is costing your practice
How to make firing easier on everyone
The termination process is difficult for a manager, as well as the staffer being fired. These three steps won't alleviate all the pain, but they will make the process easier for all concerned. 1 Do it Friday While some human resources experts say firing is best done in the middle of the week, most recommend doing it on Friday afternoon. This time is best for the office because … [Read more...] about How to make firing easier on everyone
The heat is on: Six in 10 employees report increased work stress
Are your employees having trouble "keeping calm and carrying on" at work? If so, they're in the majority. More than half (52 percent) of workers said they are stressed at work on a day-to-day basis, and 60 percent reported work-related pressure has increased in the last five years, according to a new survey by staffing firm Accountemps. Their concerns are not lost on … [Read more...] about The heat is on: Six in 10 employees report increased work stress
How Mission Health fought back against burnout
According to a 2016 Advisory Board report, more than 50 percent of all physicians report symptoms of burnout, and an equal 50 percent of nurses report feeling emotionally exhausted. Burnout is associated with lower patient experience scores and lower physician levels of empathy, according to a 2014 Annals of Family Medicine study. In addition, burnout leads to greater … [Read more...] about How Mission Health fought back against burnout
PTO rollover: Is it required?
By Paul Edwards bio What does your practice do about unused PTO from last year? Doctors and office managers often ask us questions like this: "My employees want to know if I will roll over or pay out unused PTO from last year. Am I legally obligated to do this?" This question is more complex than it sounds! First, this issue depends heavily on state laws, as federal … [Read more...] about PTO rollover: Is it required?