Q: My question is about 'ethnic' hairstyles in the workplace. Would a person interviewing be scrutinized because they were wearing a hairstyle that was different from the norm? For instance, as an African-American female interviewing for an executive assistant position in corporate America, could I wear dreadlocks or braids? Or, how would corporate America feel about me if I came to an interview with my head covered because of religious practices?A: Wherever I go in today's workplace, I go in style, and you can too. Never forget that putting on clothes and dealing with your hair is an opportun... view article details

Dear Annette,I work in a small office. One of my coworkers doesn't shower very regularly, and we are unsure how to talk to him about it without hurting his feelings. He is a very funny, nice and bright person, but this is a problem.OdorlessDear Odorless,Every morning I review my Philosophy of Fragrance: that my personal scent is an opportunity to tell others who I am and what they can do for me. 'I am an unwashed person. Write for help' is probably not what your colleague had in mind. That's a pity, because aromas contribute so much to the formation of a personal brand. The beautiful memories ... view article details

Achoo!Dear Annette,Our manager keeps coming into the office when he is obviously sick, such as when he has an awful cold. We don't want to get what he has. How can we get him to stay home?Sick of ItDear Sick of It,Ah, the miracles of droplet infection. Just one tiny sneeze gone awry, or a revolting tissue placed for nary a second on a common surface, and all of you will be singing the same song, complete with a chorus of choking gasps, honks, and other noises. It is never fabulous to contaminate others, particularly if the company is planning to institute a 360-degree review process soon.Your ... view article details

Dear Annette, What should I do at a business lunch when a client has food on his face or clothing and doesn't seem to notice? Say something? Suffer? Find another client? From,No thanks, I already ate Dear No Thanks, My dog Dickie and I never have so much as a picnic without our People. Without them, who would reroute the ants or top our passionfruit salads with gold leaf? Presentation is everything, which your client will understand when he sees himself in that trendy bistro’s restroom mirror. Not good. Your job is to make sure he never knows how briefly he compromised his own fabulousness if ... view article details

Dear Annette,What is the best way for a new employee to remember the other employees' names? I will be starting a new job in a few weeks as the payroll manager so, of course, I have to get names down very quickly. I sometimes have a problem remembering names. Help! Guess WhoDear Guess Who,It's the sheer volume of people waiting inside the theater, not lack of confidence in the film, that makes a movie star's stomach flutter on the way to her premier.And so it is with a new job. You arrive, walk into the office, and notice that every coworker you meet has a nickname, first name, last name; some... view article details

Dear Annette,Someone keeps stealing my lunch from the office kitchen. I think I know who it is, but I'm not sure I want to confront the person. What should I do? Lunchless in Lincoln Dear Lunchless,Your plight reminds me of a balmy spring day several years ago when my dog Dickie and I did an on-site etiquette seminar on an oil rig in the Caspian Sea. As I demonstrated to the energy-efficient crew how to convert the simplest white paper bag into an elegant dining surface, a rare bird-of-prey swooped down and made off with one of Dickie's grilled sardines. I was so startled I nearly dropped the ... view article details

Dear Annette,I am having some issues with a coworker who thinks I am there to do her job. How do I tactfully tell her I have a job of my own to complete, and don't have time for hers?Thanks,Nice GuyDear Nice Guy,This is an issue about People. And I don’t mean just people, I mean People.As I go about my daily routines - salons, color consulting, wardrobe, appointments for my dog Dickie - I travel with several hand-picked People. I have People to handle my schedule, People to introduce me to men, even People to write my columns for me. I trust my People and I pay them well. So I expect them to g... view article details

Dear Annette,Please help! I am in a small office, and two coworkers, one a man and one a woman, curse all the time. I really don't like it, but I can't change my cubicle space because I work closely with these people. How can I get them to stop using such ugly language without antagonizing them? Same to you, buddy Dear Buddy,Language is a tool for inclusion in culture, and in some workplaces expressions such as 'Hey, hockey puck! How on top of that are you?' might easily replace 'Are you on track with your deadline?' Yet it's never a good idea to suggest that your crisis communications strateg... view article details

Dear Annette,My boss talks to other employees about employees. Is this an accepted practice? He claims to be quite educated in new management styles. However, I do not feel as though I should know that he is thinking about firing his secretary, also known as my coworker. Sincerely, Rather Not KnowDear Rather Not Know,Perhaps like me you recall the era when information was the currency of fabulousness. How much energy and time used to go into hiding and discovering secrets? How many Saturday and Sunday mornings has my dog Dickie spent sniffing around the back doors of my little Beverly Hills ne... view article details

Q: 'My husband was offered a job in Florida. They flew me and him out there for a weekend and interviewed my husband. They offered him the job but their relocation of $5,000 was too low. We would be relocating ourselves, three kids and dog from Seattle, Washington. My husband asked for $8,000 and also itemized what we were using that amount for. First, last, security deposit on a house, ship one car and travel costs to drive while towing our third car and belongings. He was happy with the annual salary as cost of living is cheaper in Florida. My question is were we reasonable to counter their ... view article details