Question: “I work in a health and safety department and need to purchase a software package that will track training and annual due dates, etc. Can anyone recommend a good one?" — Anonymous

Question: “What do you use to easily remove old labels from file folders designated to be re-used?” — Karen Dow

Question: "I need a user-friendly org chart software that will convert or copy easily to PowerPoint. Any suggestions?" — Alicia Vandgrift

Question: “I have been in my position for 14 years. It has evolved tremendously, due in part to my suggestions for improvement, desire to be a team member, and dedication to the mission of our agency and to the four administrators I work for. I will be looking at retirement in a few years and would like to develop a “standard operating procedure” so that my successor (most likely from outside the agency) will have something to fall back on. Where and how do I begin? Are there any guides?”— Jean Shutts

Question: “We have a meeting with all the administrative assistants every two or three months.  The office administrator usually takes the lead in deciding what subjects we are going to discuss. Now, she has given the ‘privilege’ to each individual admin to take charge of the meetings. I dread my turn. I’m just a humble ‘secretary’ from the old school and some of the admins have more education and experience. Can you give me some suggestions as to what topics to discuss?  I know that there are a lot of great articles in the Administrative Professional Today newsletter, but I don’t want to come out as if I’m teaching these gals.” — Lydia

Question: “Since starting my current position more than a year ago, I have implemented a lot of new projects, creating duties that I felt the position should include. Now that things have slowed down and everything is implemented, I find myself with lots of downtime. I feel like I’ve run out of ideas and I’m sick of updating mailing lists since it’s slowed down. Any ideas to keep me busy?” — Anonymous

Question: “Any suggestions for a sign-in method in an open reception area? Currently, we're using a clipboard and a paper sign-in sheet but each person who signs in can see the names of earlier attendees.” — Anonymous

Question: “I’m interested in learning if other companies offer adoption benefits, and if so, what benefits they offer?” — Joan Frieden

Question: “I work for an engineering/environmental consulting firm. We currently have accrual limits for vacation and sick leave. Employees accrue six days of sick leave per year, and the limit is 240 hours (one month). At no time shall the total accrued vacation time exceed two times the employee’s annual vacation benefit. We do pay out half of accrued sick leave hours at the time an employee terminates. I am interested in hearing how other firms handle vacation and sick leave accruals, and if accrued sick leave hours are paid out at termination.” — Peggy

Question: “I have an employee who was three weeks into his FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) approved leave when we had a reduction in work force. I believe we followed all protocol on this termination, but now we are faced with the ex-employee expecting to use the LTD (long-term disability) program. I explained this was not a benefit after termination but I am not sure we can stop this benefit without violating ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act). We did offer this benefit as part of the hiring process and the employee has a good argument. Do we go back and allow this one employee to use the LTD program?” — Susan

Question: “I am interested in knowing how other firms handle vacation and sick accruals, and if accrued sick leave hours are paid out at termination.” — Peggy

Question: “We need to address an issue regarding a company dress code. Can you offer any guidance?” — Eva Arche

Question: “Is there a tactful—and most importantly—legal way to suggest that someone take time off when she is not able to properly perform her job due to a medical issue? We have an employee who developed Bell’s Palsy. It has affected her speech and one eye, making it very difficult for her to see and speak. Her primary job is to call on clients and research the Internet. Although we appreciate her dedication, she is stressing herself out because no one can understand her.  We feel that if she took a couple days off and rested, her recuperation would be that much quicker.” — Louise

Question: “We have a former employee who left our employ one week ago.  He has now called and stated that his leaving was a mistake, and he would like to come back to work for us.  Can you tell me what policies you have in place for this situation?  We are thinking about hiring him back.  What do we do about seniority, pay, vacation, health benefits, etc.?  Does he start at the beginning?  This is the first time this has happened to us and we don't have a policy in our handbook that covers it.  Any suggestions or laws that you may know of that would apply?” — Nancy

Question: “I work for a nonprofit organization where only a few staff members occasionally bring in a treat for the monthly staff meeting. We all bring our own coffee or water. Is this the norm for nonprofit organizations? I personally feel that the association should provide the refreshments since the meeting is part of the workday and we are required to attend.” — Anonymous

Question: “I work for a major company in my industry and, of course, benefits have changed over the past few years. Our funeral leave policy grants three days’ leave for immediate family members. However, the old policy allowed one day for aunts, uncles and spouse’s grandparents. Co-workers have trouble understanding that the definition of ‘benefit’ means that the company is not obligated to give us anything. Does your company have a funeral leave policy? I think my company’s policy is really good, and I would like some data to show others.” — Tired of Whining

Question: “A few administrative managers would like to approach executive management and propose that we be considered for the annual bonus program. Are there other office/administrative managers who receive an annual bonus? What is the criteria (tenure, number of reporting admin staff, etc.) or is it primarily performance based?” — Maggie

Question: “Our company is interested in establishing a corporate policy for recycling at our office. Has anyone written such a policy?” — Linda Goode

Question: “Is it OK to keep medicine on-hand to give employees as needed (e.g.,Advil, Tylenol, Excedrin, Motrin)? I keep these meds on my desk (as do a lot of other assistants at my company) and give them to anyone who needs them. It’s faster than employees walking to our on-site health center to request something for a headache. My husband’s company has stopped keeping meds like this in its first-aid kits because of liability reasons (in case someone takes something they are allergic to). If we (assistants) continue to keep meds on-hand, do we need a sign-out sheet before giving these meds to employees?” — Lisa

Question: “Does anyone have an established procedure for setting up international travel for managers: passports, visa procedures, itineraries, finding dependable local transportation, hotels, etc.? This is a four-person office, so standards are carried out each time.” — Lee

Question: “Our company wants to establish a policy for maternity leave or long-term sick leave. We’re a small company and have never formally established a policy. Since we’re growing, we want to enable our employees to take leave without using all their vacation time. What are some suggestions that have worked for other companies?” — Sydney Eckersley

Question: “I work for a small company and right now we give all of our employees, both salaried and hourly, five paid sick days per year.  The company is deciding if hourly employees should continue to get this benefit.  These hourly employees work a full 40-hour week.  What do other companies do?” — Nancy Shortino

Question: “I am part of our department’s Diversity Committee and the committee is hosting our next all staff meeting/training. Does anyone have any ideas on what we can do at this all- staff meeting to bring awareness regarding being sensitive to the cultural diversity of our staff and the clients we serve?” — Anonymous

Question: “Can an employer ‘force’ an employee to take an ‘extra day off sometime’ in lieu of paying the employee eight hours of holiday pay plus eight hours of regular pay if the employee works on the holiday?” —Anonymous

Question: “I have been asked to locate or create industry productivity standards for my administrative support staff. How do I measure productivity for people whose job duties change daily?” — Jennifer Woodson