By Steve M. Cohen bio Among the goals of any organization is to become an HPO — a high performance organization. That means you have created a lean, mean running machine that operates at top efficiency, and your employees are engaged. Some organizations don't believe this really applies to them. But look at it this way: Research by the Gallagher Organization has suggested … [Read more...] about Maintaining an HPO: employees make the difference
Managing staff
Exceeding expectations or resetting the watermark of leadership
By Dale Henry bio I'm a service snob! I am addicted to nice hotels, great restaurants, and being pampered. Who isn't? That feeling of being cared for and having everything you want delivered with a smile is intoxicating to say the least. Once you have had someone exceed your expectations, it is just a little frustrating to have someone do it out of ritual. As they say, it's … [Read more...] about Exceeding expectations or resetting the watermark of leadership
Beware these 2 deadly employment law traps
Beware. The government has stepped up its efforts to protect employee rights. Two areas of particular interest to medical offices are disability discrimination and retaliation against protected activities such as discussing wages and work conditions. The agencies involved are the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Americans with Disabilities Act) and the National Labor … [Read more...] about Beware these 2 deadly employment law traps
Workplace accusations mean it’s time to investigate
By Dr. Steve M. Cohen In dealing with your office staff, allegations of wrongdoing are never something you can ignore. Whether the charge involves sexual or racial harassment, bullying or something else, they must never be ignored. Never. Remember, an allegation by itself is neither fact nor fiction. It is simply a statement made by someone within your organization. In many … [Read more...] about Workplace accusations mean it’s time to investigate
Avoid these 3 deadly employment law traps when hiring or firing
Three errors that cause wrongful terminations Though every employer knows - or should know - the rules for safe firing, mistakes still happen when it comes to showing an employee the door, says Peter Golden, a business and employment law attorney with The Golden Law Firm in Atlanta. In his own practice, he finds that in all types of businesses, manages most often fall down on … [Read more...] about Avoid these 3 deadly employment law traps when hiring or firing
Employee Safety Briefing: How to prevent injuries in the home office
Why you need this safety briefing: If you have telecommuters on your staff, you need to be concerned about their safety when they are working at home. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not require inspections of home offices, but you would be wise to remind your employees about working in a safe environment. How this safety briefing helps you: This … [Read more...] about Employee Safety Briefing: How to prevent injuries in the home office
Editor watches staggering changes in medical office management
By Susan Crawford Founding Editor Dear Readers: Medical Office Manager’s first issue came out in November 1987. And now after 26 years as your editor, I have retired. This is a good time to look at the issues and conundrums you as manager have faced during all that time and to congratulate you on a job well done. The changes have been staggering. You have kept up with them … [Read more...] about Editor watches staggering changes in medical office management
Why you need an employee social networking policy to help protect your practice
THIS STORY WILL HELP YOU … Prevent employee blogging, texting, emailing and other social networking abuse At least some of your employees are into blogging, tweeting, Facebook and other social networking. What employees do with their free time is their own business. Or is it? What about employees who social network during work time? And how about employees whose blogs, tweets … [Read more...] about Why you need an employee social networking policy to help protect your practice
Same-sex marriage ruling brings in new legal issues
Plus new emphasis on discrimination Though it applies only to states where same-sex marriage is legal, the recent Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage warrants attention from managers in all states. For those in Washington, DC, and the 13 states where gay marriage is recognized, there are new employment law requirements. For those in all the other states, the ruling calls for … [Read more...] about Same-sex marriage ruling brings in new legal issues
For the female manager: to be successful, follow the lead of the men
It’s a sex thing. In the professional world, women tend to undersell themselves. And the fallout is money. Studies show that women make only 77% of what their male working counterparts earn, and usually earn less even when they have the same job description and same education. Why? Because men present themselves in a stronger, more complimentary light, says Vickie Milazzo, a … [Read more...] about For the female manager: to be successful, follow the lead of the men