There are books out there about coping with a difficult boss and troublesome co-workers. Now Des Moines Area Community College offers a course for the boss who’s dealing with problem employees. DMACC’s Joyce Smith coordinates continuing education and helped put together the one-day seminar for managers.She figures everyone’s been in a situation where you’re a manager or a co-worker with disputes that could be settled, ignored…or handled in a way that makes it even worse. Glenn Shepard, a consultant from Nashville, Tennessee, will lead the one-day seminar.She says Shepard comes through Iowa once or twice a year doing seminars at various community colleges, and Smith says he “comes well-recommended” as an energetic, dynamic speaker who’s a lot of fun. Smith says the seminar contains solid legal advice for handling the ultimate boss tasks, hiring and firing.She says the law changes often, so managers must be “up on those things’ and know how to do it in a way that’s legal, and fair to everyone. While the course is primarily for first-line supervisors, Smith says it’d be valuable for anyone working in management or hoping to get there. You can register at DMACC’s area campuses, via mail, or at the school’s website, www.dmacc.edu
