Certain expressions immediately make people think of another era. Among these are the cat's pajamas, the apple of my eye, hold your horses, and a feather in your cap. Perhaps your parents or grandparents peppered their conversations with these expressions; if so, these sayings, while outdated, might make you smile. However, it's unlikely you'd tell an employee that an … [Read more...] about Are the expressions you use dating you?
Managing staff
10 tested ways to make your staff meetings more interesting and productive
Say the word “meeting” and people tend to groan. In fact, according to a survey conducted by Salary.com, which looks at where and how employees waste time, nearly half of those surveyed cite attending meetings as the biggest time-waster. But a meeting can be a positive experience. Really. As a medical office manager, a meeting offers you a leadership opportunity. It serves as … [Read more...] about 10 tested ways to make your staff meetings more interesting and productive
Double standards never work at work
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
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
American workers struggling to make ends meet
Three-quarters of Americans (75 percent) are living paycheck to paycheck to make ends meet, according to a survey from CareerBuilder, a global leader in human capital solutions. Thirty-eight percent of employees say they sometimes live paycheck to paycheck, 15 percent say they usually do, and 23 percent say they always do. While making ends meet is a struggle for many … [Read more...] about American workers struggling to make ends meet
Homework for parents: your child’s back-to-school health checklist
As more than 50 million students head back to school, the nation's emergency physicians say now is the time to get everyone's health in check. "For many, the focus is on back to school clothes and supplies, which is important," says Jay Kaplan, MD, FACEP, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). "But it's equally, if not more important to also take … [Read more...] about Homework for parents: your child’s back-to-school health checklist
Family and business: not always the best mix
By Steve M. Cohen bio In my experience, nepotism often brings a range of personal and organizational issues that are worth noting. First, let me acknowledge that there is clearly a place in many offices where related people work together. The classic case is a small office, but even some larger organizations can avoid problems if they are careful. But there are … [Read more...] about Family and business: not always the best mix
Staff work as a financial team and increase the up-front payments
With all its staff – front desk, billing, and clinical – working as a financial team, a North Little Rock, AR, surgery practice has increased its pre-surgery payments by 25 percent. “It’s not rocket science,” says Linda Atkins, manager of Neurological Surgery Associates. “It’s just common-sense things.” Every staffer “looks at the money picture” and has a role in it, she says, … [Read more...] about Staff work as a financial team and increase the up-front payments
Dealing with the cell phone abusers, the smokers, and the too-jolly staffer
Here are three people questions. They cover the cell phone and Internet users, the smokers, and the staffer who wastes time entertaining everybody. They are answered by Jonna Contacos-Sawyer, SPHR, CCP, CMC, president and consulting principal of HR Consultants, a management and human resources firm in Johnstown, PA. • What’s the most effective way to limit personal use of … [Read more...] about Dealing with the cell phone abusers, the smokers, and the too-jolly staffer
What every office manager needs to know about ‘at-will’ employment
What does at-will employment mean? It means that either the employer or the employee can end the relationship at any time and for any reason or for no reason at all – unless there is a contract for a term of employment. So why should a manager be concerned about that? Because most states say yes, there can be an implied contract of employment and no, that contract doesn't … [Read more...] about What every office manager needs to know about ‘at-will’ employment