Communication

What not to say to older workers: ‘You’re overqualified!’ ‘When are you going to retire?’

05/01/2023

Even as the baby boom generation ages, many older workers are finding they must delay retirement because they can’t afford to quit working. That should raise red flags for employers. Boomers have a powerful federal law on their side—the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, which makes it illegal to discriminate against employees and applicants over age 40 because of their age.

5 phrases smart managers avoid writing

04/07/2023

Emails and texts give modern managers an easy way to communicate with team members. Remember, though, that words have consequences. Think about what you write before hitting send. A better solution is to eliminate potentially problematic phrases from the get-go.

5 phrases smart managers avoid saying

03/30/2023

We’ve all heard the evergreen advice “think before you speak.” Words have consequences, and managers who hastily toss out statements run the risk of killing morale, damaging relationships and genuinely hurting feelings. Even if you later feel remorseful, taking things back once said proves difficult. A better solution is to try ridding your vocabulary of certain phrases.

Here comes the summer help!

03/23/2023

How to welcome, prep and manage those seasonal employees.

Should that Zoom call really have been an email?

03/02/2023

With all the options, existing workplace etiquette and conflicting preferences, it can be surprisingly difficult to decide the best way for an admin to get in touch with their executive and colleagues. These tips will let you know the best communication method for each workplace situation to help admins save time.

Emotional rescue: How to help angry employees vent

02/23/2023

Say one of your employees walks into your office all red-faced and angry. How should you respond? Follow these do’s and don’ts to help employees vent about stressful work problems and think about solutions:

Want to annoy your staff? Use these words

02/17/2023

Let’s face it. As a manager, you are going to annoy some of your employees at least some of the time. A recent survey performed by Preply helps you annoy them a little less. They surveyed a thousand people to learn the most annoying buzzwords. Try to keep these from popping up during your next meeting or one-on-one conversation.

Worried about a new hire? ‘Salvage operation’ tips

01/25/2023

Despite a thorough hiring process, even promising candidates can develop performance issues once on the job. Now, several weeks in, you’re noticing concerning patterns that weren’t evident during interviews. Before making a hasty decision in either direction, it’s time for a structured approach to evaluate whether this employee can become a valuable team member or if it’s best to part ways.

Manage workplace politics in or out of election season

12/21/2022

Politics are always with us nowadays. When tensions are high, it is essential to keep a respectful workplace, whether or not it’s voting season.

Express gratitude to employees all year

11/30/2022

Did you know that November was National Gratitude Month? Although November ends today, it’s not too late: Employees want to hear how appreciated they are all year long. In fact, a recent national survey of U.S. workers finds that 47% say they would like to receive more recognition for their work, while 21% indicate that they are never recognized for their efforts.