Any guidelines for ‘Take your child to work day’?

• May 01, 2009

Question: “This year, we had a number of employees bring their children to the office for “Take your child to work day.” The employees expected our...

Office etiquette: Sign gift card from “all” or only contributors sign?

• April 17, 2009

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...

Workplace Pranks: More Costly Than Funny

• March 30, 2009

As April Fool's Day approaches, some employees might be scheming to pull a range of pranks on unsuspecting co-workers. Of the 6,800-plus employees surveyed by...

What do you give the boss who is retiring?

• January 30, 2009

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...

What should you do when ‘business casual’ goes too far?

• January 23, 2009

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...

Hate going to the annual company outing? Must you attend?

• November 07, 2008

Question: “Our company has an outing every year. I felt very uncomfortable at the last couple that I attended, and I would rather work than be there. The same...

Short skirts, cleavage and your job

• November 03, 2008

Business etiquette expert Barbara Pachter says that hotter summer temps are often to blame for unsuitable work attire.

Office etiquette: What’s the worst offense?

• October 24, 2008

While some employees can tolerate co-workers’ swearing and rude behavior, don’t even think about touching their ham sandwiches. The absolute most offensive...

What do you give the board member who has everything?

• October 21, 2008

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...

What’s an appropriate holiday gift for a boss?

• October 10, 2008

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?”...

To sign or not sign the boss’s name?

• September 29, 2008

Your boss asks you to sign his name on correspondence on his behalf, without putting your own initials next to his signature.

How do I ‘appear’ enthusiastic’ yet maintain a professional demeanor?

• September 19, 2008

Question: “When I started at my company, I worked for two senior execs. Now, I also work for the president. I handle all of their office and personal work, which...

Should you tell a co-worker that she needs a makeover?

• September 12, 2008

Question: “How do you tactfully tell a co-worker/friend, who recently received a promotion to an upper-level management position, that she needs to dress more...

My boss is losing it: How do I overcome this?

• August 08, 2008

Question: “My supervisor has memory lapses from time to time. He will give me only partial instructions and then get angry that I did not do things that he...

We can handle Chatty Cathy, but what do we do about Whistling Willie?

• July 18, 2008

Question: “We have a co-worker who is cooperative, personable, cheerful and a great employee. But his whistling is driving our office up a tree. Some people find...

Does your workplace need an employee civility code?

• April 24, 2008

If it seems like you’re hearing more vulgar words and behavior spewing forth from employees these days, you’re not alone. It may be time to draft a simple...

Restroom etiquette? Whatever happened to “clean up after yourself”?

• April 18, 2008

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...

Office birthday luncheons: Do I have to attend?

• February 21, 2008

Question: “Our department acknowledges birthdays by taking the birthday person out to lunch. The person gets to choose where to eat and the entire department...

Ever heard of television etiquette in the workplace?

• February 21, 2008

Question: “Our company recently installed a television in the break room. My boss asked me to find something online about television etiquette. I...

What holiday gifts do I buy for the directors who already have everything?

• October 18, 2007

Question: I am responsible for coming up with the holiday gift idea for our board members.  I was given a budget of $250 - $300 and I am, unfortunately, at a...