If I Treat My Staff Well, They Will Take Care of Me and Look Out for My Best Interests

It may be easy to believe that if one treats one’s employees well, the employees will look out for the practice owner’s best interests. After all, they each should have the success of the practice as their primary motivation for decisions made and actions taken. Yet, as this chapter illustrates, this frequently is not the case. Employees, while often responding more favorably to positive employment practices, nevertheless may not share the practice owner’s interests. Each mental health practitioner who hires employees and staff members should create policies and procedures relevant to the effective running of the practice and then provide sufficient oversight to ensure that all employees follow them. This chapter emphasizes how the business owner is responsible for the success of the business. Specific strategies and steps to take to help ensure the effective running of one’s practice are provided. Common staff challenges are highlighted and specific recommendations for addressing them are provided.