Happy Admin Professional's Day, now please don't sue

Let's face it. You probably think you did a good job just for remembering to buy flowers or a gift certificate for Administrative Professional's Day. (It was on Wednesday, April 25). That should buy you a stress-free year, without any concerns of complaints, problems or lawsuits, right? Wrong. A savvy manager knows the key to making employees happy is to provide them with a workplace environment that supports them, encourages their growth and respects them as employees and individuals.

The good news is, as a supervisor, you can take a few easy steps that will promote such an environment while serving a dose of preventative medicine to ward off troubling employment lawsuits. This year, supervisors should use Administrative Professional's Day as a reminder to check on important systems that should be in place. By taking these simple steps, employers can minimize liability and exposure while showing their employees they care.

This article appeared in the May 4, 2007 issue of the Daily Journal of Commerce - Portland, OR.