Question: “I know my office co-worker chats on Facebook most of the day. I now have proof when another  co-worker stopped by the office and mentioned that her posts are usually between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Now that I have proof, do I say something to the co-worker or do I bring it up to the boss? I am usually not a tattletale, but there are times when I am overwhelmed with work and I know she’s chatting on Facebook and not getting her work done.” -- Judy Gonzales

Question: “Our company has a MySpace page and employees are invited to join. One associate made derogatory comments about a co-worker on his MySpace page, which turned up on the company page. We have clients reviewing this site. How should we handle it? What etiquette tips can we share with associates? Can the company or the employee request that the negative comments be removed?” — Anonymous

"Our office allows a more casual attire in the summer. But some of the employees push it way too far. It doesn't help that the VP in charge of the office likes to wear shorts, so everyone else thinks it should be OK. We don't have any written rules on this, but I think it's hurting our image (as some of our sales reps sometimes have clients in for meetings). How can I present this to 'Mr. Casual' VP...or should I? -- Kathleen

Question: “We took a collection to buy gifts for our managers, thanking them for contributing to a celebration they funded out of their own pockets.  Only some of the people in our department contributed because some couldn’t afford it, and others just simply refused.  What is the proper etiquette for signing the card?  Do I have the contributors sign, or should I sign on behalf of the department?  I don’t want to leave out the people who couldn’t afford it, but I don’t want those who refused to give to get credit, especially since those who did give, gave substantially.” — Amanda

Question: “I need to type job application refusal letters. What is the best way to type these letters?  Is there a good web site with samples?" — S. Foltz

Question: “I sit by a man who is a chain smoker — some days he goes out to smoke six or seven times. He is also a heavy coffee drinker. The combination of smoke and coffee really stinks. How can I address this issue without offending him?” — Ann E. Harris

Question: “I have worked with my boss for 20 years, and he will retire in June after 33 years with the organization. He is moving out of state. He will receive a clock as the traditional retirement gift from the organization. I would personally like to give him a gift, but I have no idea what is appropriate. A gift certificate would have to be from a national chain, and a present would have to be small enough to transport to his new home and not become clutter. Any suggestions?” — Anonymous

Question: “I work for a government agency that coordinates our service delivery with private industry partners. Because of this partnership, we have staff in our building who are not state employees and answer to different management. The dress code in our building is “business casual,” and the partners agreed to this policy. How do I address women who wear inappropriate low-cut blouses and very short skirts?  Approaching the appropriate supervisor hasn’t helped.  The “corporate culture” in that company is different from our state agency. Should I go to our administrator?  Am I making too much of this?  The purpose of this partnership is to help lower-income and unemployed people find jobs, or career advancement, through job search activities, training, résumé and interviewing skill coaching. I don’t see this as setting a good example to our clientele. — Rita

Question: “I work for a small firm and we receive calls from telemarketers who use the president’s first name, asserting that they know each other.  My boss has given me the liberty to gain as much information about the call in order to prepare him for it, or to end the call.  How do I achieve this task nicely and  professionally?” — Designated call screener

“The association I work for will be moving to another state sometime in the next six months. Knowing that our jobs are ending has made it difficult to do our jobs and remain professional toward the people who made that decision. I feel we need to serve our members the same as we did before. But other employees have copped an attitude. What's the best way to deal with the anger of co-workers and still maintain good customer service and remain professional?” -- Janice

Question: “I am looking for some new, different ideas for a year-end letter. My boss usually sends out personalized year-end letters highlighting the accomplishments of our department. He wants to do something different this year. Does anyone have any ideas?” —Kim E. Rodriquez

Question: “My company has decided not to do the usual Christmas party this year. In the past, it’s been a huge affair for all employees and their families. This year, we are planning to hold “something” at the office just for staff. I’d like to know what other companies are doing this year and any ideas for in-house parties.” — P.T.

Question: “I work for a nonprofit board of directors (50 members). Every year, I give each board member a small token gift for our December meeting, and a little nicer gift for the annual meeting in June. I try to keep the budget to about $1 to $1.75 per gift (for the December gift) and a little more for the June gift. I've given coffee cups, clocks, pocket calendars, lunch Koozies, Slinky toys (as stress relievers) and even polo shirts. Does anyone have any suggestions for gift ideas that I could give this year? Any web sites would be helpful.” — Anonymous

Question: “The holidays are approaching, and I need help thinking of a nice and reasonably priced holiday gift from my male boss (CEO). Any suggestions?” — Sandy S.

Question: “What is the appropriate way to list a retired physician on our letterhead and web site?  Should we remove his name or simply put (retired 2008) beside his name?” —Viki

Question: “We have a long-term temporary worker who manages to get the job done, but the collateral damage is staggering! She is loud, abrupt and downright rude. The only people who like her are the salespeople she supports because she does provide them tangible results. How can I ask her to conform more to office behavior without causing a strain on our working relationship?” —Kristin

Question: “I work in an office with two other women.  One woman makes comments about what’s being said while the other person is on a telephone conversation. I realize that it's hard working in close proximity and we hear each other’s phone conversations. How can we politely tell this woman not to add her comments while one of us is on the phone?” — Margie Jimenez

Question: “I am an admin for a major corporation (group of 100 people, 75 % women). In addition, I am the facilities coordinator for two floors.  My problem is how to address the sensitive issue regarding the condition of the ladies’ room (and I have had complaints about the men's room, too).  I have tried to address the issue with notices (even those posted by the property management company) with no success.  I'm beginning to think it will never have an impact on the junior-high mentality! I would appreciate any advice.” — Jayne Pease

Question: “How can I handle other staff who treat administrative assistants as the low people on the totem pole? Where I work, admins get little or no respect from staff/peers. When we ask people to leave a conference room because we have booked it for a meeting, we are ignored or told to wait. Our bosses treat us fine, but it is other staff above and equal to us who treat us poorly. What can we do to institute a change?” — Anonymous

Question: “Our company recently installed a television in the break room. My boss asked me to find something online about television etiquette. I haven’t been able to find anything. Any suggestions on television etiquette in the workplace?” — Brandy Ludwick

Question: “How can I tactfully and respectfully ask my boss to stop announcing my doctor’s appointments to other employees? I cover for other areas, and when I have an appointment my boss will send an e-mail to the employees impacted (and their bosses) saying, ‘Since Jane needs to go to the doctor on Friday, here is our revised coverage schedule.’ Or, ‘Since Jane is going to see the dentist on Tuesday.’ I really don’t wish to have other employees know that I’m seeking medical attention.” — Anonymous, Los Angeles

Question: “I supervise our receptionist/secretary and share an office with her. When the director or other staff members come into the office to speak to me about a problem or situation, she interrupts the conversation, even when others are speaking, and will raise her voice so it can be heard above others. These conversations are not directed or pertain to her. I have spoken to her about this behavior and have written it up in her last evaluation. I could use some solutions to this problem, short of writing her up or suspending her without pay.”

Question: “How do I deal with three ‘Field Crew Leaders’ who use the office equipment (e.g., copier, fax, printer) but walk away without adding paper, let the machine jam and run out of toner. They never try and fix the problem or let anyone know that there is a problem. I need to send an e-mail to address the situation. What’s the best approach?” — Becky Jones

Question: “I work in a department that is divided into teams. I am the department administrative assistant, supporting about 25 people. The department celebrated a project completion where everyone on the team received a project completion gift, which included everyone in my department. I didn’t work directly on the project but did a lot of administrative tasks. I didn’t receive a gift, which is fine, but my boss invited everyone to the conference room to present the gifts and acknowledge a successful project completion – but me. He left me at my desk and didn’t invite me to be a part of the celebration. Is it wrong to feel left out and not a part of the team?” — Ann Harris

Question: Telephone screening and taking messages are a very important part of my job, but I am terrible at getting a name right when someone calls.  Does anyone have any suggestions on how to politely ask (sometimes more than once) a person’s name and the nature of the call? I don't want to come across as unprofessional to my "new boss." - Cherile