Q: I work for a 30-person company.  Many of us eat lunch at the office.  The problem is that the firm’s owner often raids the fridge, then leaves a dollar in place of what she took!  Even if we put our names on items, she appropriates them.  She doesn’t pick on any one person or group: top sales people are as vulnerable as the company receptionist.  The owner doesn’t react well to criticism or suggestions.  Any ideas?

A: Always pick your battles carefully with any boss — especially a difficult one.  First, decide if it’s worth talking to her at all.  Next, discuss with your co-workers the idea of approaching her about the problem.  If you’re all in agreement, pick a time when it’s quiet at the office and ask to meet with her as a group.  The goal is to resolve the situation without annoying her, so take pains to avoid being confrontational: “Mrs. Food-Stealer, there’s an issue we want to discuss with you because it’s making all of us uncomfortable.  It’s about our lunches…”

By Dawn Stanyon, AICI FLC, Professional Image Consultant

A trend over the past couple years is large watches. Really really large watches. Whether it’s a Rolex or a more affordable brand, men and women are wearing these signature time pieces to the office. Our take? Great! But consider minimizing other accessories. Men generally keep their accessories to a minimum. A tie; maybe a pocket square; maybe cuff links. For women, here’s a tip from our professional image consultant Dawn Stanyon. When accessorizing remember this rule: 3 accessories is quite subtle; 5 accessories adds visual interest; 7 or more can be overkill. Assign one point for each accessory. If the accessory is large or dominant, assign it 2 points. A big watch on a woman’s wrist would definitely be 2 points.

What do you think about huge watches in the workplace?

For more, visit Dawn’s blog, Professionality.

Q: Is it appropriate to make a comment to a new-coworker about his lack of professionalism?  I’m referring to his use of “slang” or “street talk” in the office.

A: Be careful — you could be skating on very thin ice here.  If the language in question isn’t explicitly foul, you’re better off leaving any corrective action to a supervisor or a close friend.  At the same time, everyone in the business world should realize that how you present yourself, including your wardrobe, your body language, your hygiene, and your choice of words, will have a direct effect on your success.  Using slang or street talk in the office can only hold a person back.

If you decide to move ahead, try asking other employees if they’ve noticed her language, if they think it affects her work negatively, and if management knows about it and condones it. If their answers indicate you should pursue the situation further, you could raise the issue with your manager on the grounds that it may be hurting the company.

Be aware, though, that once you do, your manager may act—and you may then have to deal with a resentful, angry employee who thinks her actions are none of your business.

Q: My company sent a form for me to fill out and return.  Because the return envelope had no postage, I ignored it.  Six weeks later, I received a second notice.  This time I sent the form back with a note: “You owe me 37 cents postage.”  I was trying to make a point that if a company wants employees to return a form, it should provide postage.  Later, I received an envelope containing a copy of my form, and a quarter, a dime, and two pennies, with no note of explanation.  I suspect they didn’t get my point.

A: They understood your point precisely.  An important part of getting along at work is to pick your battles carefully.  Is a 37-cent stamp work making a stand over?  Probably not.  By answering the form right away and dropping it in your company’s interoffice mail, you could have resolved the situation with a lot less aggravation to yourself.

Q: At my office, one woman collects money from everyone on a monthly basis to “cover the cost of birthday cards.”  While I think this is a nice gesture, recently the “fee” has doubled.  What’s an appropriate way of objecting to this collection?

A: Just say no politely, and without any judgment or accusation: “Thanks for asking, but the cost is becoming more than I can handle right now.”  Or you can suggest alternatives, such as using a card-making program on a computer.  Remember, though, that if you make a suggestion you could suddenly find yourself in charge.  You may even conclude, after thinking the matter over, that the best course of action is to keep quiet and pay up.  Don’t forget, your co-worker is not only collecting money but also spending her time picking out cards.

Q: Is it acceptable to list an MBA degree on business cards?  I received a master’s in business 10 years ago, and at that time it was never done.  Now I see MBAs popping up everywhere, right next to MD, JD, CPA, CFA, and other professional designations.

A: I wouldn’t put MBA on my card anymore that I would put Peter Post, BS (which some people misinterpret).  It just seems a bit tacky to me.  Your business card is not a personal advertisement or curriculum vitae.  It’s a way to give information about you so that people can get in touch with you, and it defines your position.  If, on the other hand, you have a professional credential that relates directly to your expertise – CPA for a certified public accountant, or CFP for certified financial planner – then this does belong on your business card.

Q: What is the proper protocol for job hunting while still at one’s current job?  How do I handle taking time out for interviews, for example?

A: Conducting phone interviews on a company telephone, writing your resume when you should be preparing that report, or meeting with interviewers on company time are all major mistakes.  Your future employee won’t be impressed by this behavior, and you risk losing your present job.  Make every effort to separate your job search from your current work responsibilities.

Here’s how: Have potential employees call your home number or a cellphone number with voice mail, then check for messages during breaks or at lunch.  If you must schedule an interview during work hours, take off some personal time.  Never use your current employer’s stationary to print resumes or letters.  You may have a personal card printed with your home address and phone number. Also make sure that you get a personal e-mail address so that you are not using your work e-mail. Also remember to use your own stamps for postage when sending written correspondence.

Q: I work in an office full of cubicles, and my neighbors often have stand-up meetings right in the hallway between our cubes.  I would understand if it were one or two folks, but they’ve had meetings with as many as seven people! Would it be rude to ask them to get a conference room the next time this happened?

A: It is perfectly appropriate to ask them to relocate to a more private area next time this occurs. Stand up, walk over, and say, “Hey, Tom, Jane, would you mind taking it to a conference room?  I’m having a tough time concentrating on my work.  Thanks a lot.”  If you are uncomfortable addressing them as a group, a better option may be to talk to your neighbor in private. Explain to him calmly that it is very difficult for you focus on your work when this occurs and kindly propose that next time they try to move to a different area. Whether it’s water-cooler talk or a business discussion, a lengthy group conversation should never take place in any cubicle area where others are trying to get work done.

Q: Whenever I go looking for my stapler or scissors at work, I always find them on my neighbor’s desk.  Shouldn’t she ask before she borrows?

A: You’re right, asking before borrowing is always best. In first addressing the issue, try to use humor and a respectful tone when you ask your neighbor to return the items she borrows- “Dawn, have you kidnapped my stapler again?” This may make her more aware of what she is doing in the future, and give her the chance to handle the situation with humor as well. The most important thing is to maintain communication with your neighbor. This may seem like a smaller issue right now, but if left unaddressed you may become increasingly upset and your tension may escalate. Also remember to confront your neighbor when you are calm, not angry. This will allow you both to listen and reach a compromise more easily.

Q: A regular client has offered to have me and two other employees in the firm go to lunch ‘on him’ as a holiday gift. He will not accompany us, but has told me to let him know when we are going, and he will make arrangements with the restaurant to pay the bill. I feel that we should pay the tip, since we are the ones who are receiving the service, but the other two disagree with me. Should we pay the tip, or leave it for the giver to include it when he pays the bill?

A: Since the client made the arrangements with the restaurant for paying the bill, you should inquire if his payment includes the tip.  If it does, you aren’t obligated to tip but certainly may add to the tip if you feel you received exceptional service.  If not, it would be appropriate for the three of you to leave a tip.