By Steve M. Cohen bio I have worked closely with two organizations: The Transgender Institute (TTI) and the Gender Policy Associates (GPA). TTI is an organization that provides therapy, consultation, and coaching to transgender people. This is a population that is much misunderstood; in schools they are subject to extensive bullying. At work, they are often subject to … [Read more...] about Fairness in the employment setting can be everything
Managing staff
Watch out for ADA claims; they are now easier to file and a lot easier to win
(Note: The ADA applies to offices with 15 or more employees. Depending on the practice’s business structure, the physicians may be included in that count.) An amendment to the Americans with Disabilities Act is putting more employees under ADA protection. It’s called the ADA Amendments Act, or ADAAA. It went into effect in 2008, and it has broadened the definition of … [Read more...] about Watch out for ADA claims; they are now easier to file and a lot easier to win
NY manager gets more done with 15 minute one-on-one meetings
Offices with a limited number of staffers can follow the management lead of a New York medical office manager who has replaced full-staff meetings with 15-minute individual meetings in which she talks with each person privately. In a group, not everything gets brought out, says the manager of the practice, which has just seven staffers. There is no opportunity to listen to … [Read more...] about NY manager gets more done with 15 minute one-on-one meetings
Model Policy: Catastrophic leave program
Why you need this policy: A leave-sharing program appears to be a win-win-win solution for employer, donating employee, and receiving employee. But employers need to be careful when implementing a program like this to avoid some potential administrative, managerial, and tax problems. How this policy helps you: Rules regarding an employee's right to various types of leave … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Catastrophic leave program
Seven guides for a safe and somewhat pleasant firing
Firing is the most dangerous action a manager ever takes. “Yet almost everybody does it poorly,” says Joseph Godwin, a management consultant with F&H Solutions Group, a human resources consulting firm in Asheville, NC. Any fired employee is depressed and fearful of the future – and not averse to calling an attorney. Every manager needs to know how to fire without asking for … [Read more...] about Seven guides for a safe and somewhat pleasant firing
90 minutes of unpaid time off ends a bookkeeping nightmare
A Kentucky medical office manager has devised a method to control time off, focusing on making the paperwork easier. Keeping track of 45-minute appointments or an hour of personal leave is a bookkeeping nightmare, says the administrator for a five-physician women's care clinic. And it's especially difficult for a large practice such as hers, which has 26 staff. So she combined … [Read more...] about 90 minutes of unpaid time off ends a bookkeeping nightmare
Your office can improve operations with a few easy changes
By Steve M. Cohen bio I'm sure you've seen one of Hollywood's "political" movies. You know the kind: drama unfolds between a candidate and (fill in the blank), while his or her selfless team of volunteers labor furiously in the background, assuring that the candidate still wins, despite spending all of his or her time dealing with the drama. Hollywood fantasy, right? … [Read more...] about Your office can improve operations with a few easy changes
A little stress can be good, but a lot can be disastrous
By Steve M. Cohen bio There's a big issue that I think is overlooked too often in many offices: job related stress and anxiety. Some stress is good. A certain tension, including awareness of deadlines and the feeling of meeting challenges, is a good thing in any workplace. But too much stress, or stress for too long a time, will overload people. Some handle it … [Read more...] about A little stress can be good, but a lot can be disastrous
How to implement a leave-sharing program
"How can I help?" It's a question that many employees ask when a coworker or a coworker's family member is facing a serious medical issue. One way that employers can facilitate assistance is to allow employees to donate time off to their coworkers who have exhausted all available leave. At first glance, a leave-sharing program appears to be a win-win-win solution. It's a … [Read more...] about How to implement a leave-sharing program
Racism and allegations: never easy to manage
By Steve M. Cohen bio As current headlines and news broadcasts attest, racial relations are still an issue in this nation. For employers and managers, the issue can be especially difficult. You may have legitimate complaints from a wide range of employees. At other times, an action or comment may offend some and not others. Then there are instances where race is … [Read more...] about Racism and allegations: never easy to manage