If workers want to dress up for Halloween, please consider whether the costume is too sexy or offensive for the workplace. A funny costume could be seen as insulting to another co-worker.

James McDonald, managing partner of law firm Fisher & Phillips, refers to office costume parties as a matter of concern. With costumes becoming more edgy, there is a greater risk of offending a co-worker or manager. If the employer says it is OK to wear costumes, the company could potentially face a harassment lawsuit if an outfit goes too far, according to McDonald.

"Employees who think nothing of wearing provocative or controversial costumes shouldn't assume that others consider their behavior 'all in fun,'" says Chuck Conine, president of Hospitality HR Solutions. "Inappropriate behavior, even in jest, can affect how co-workers and supervisors perceive an employee's maturity or suitability for promotion."

If the company allows workers to dress up, McDonald recommends sending an e-mail or memo before Halloween that emphasizes good judgment when it comes to costumes. Outfits should avoid being too sexual and making fun of religious, ethical or racial groups.

Conine suggests looking at last year's party to determine if it was a positive experience. Companies can always have alternative Halloween plans: Plan a Halloween-themed lunch for employees, or workers could bring their costumed children to the office before trick or treating.

Discipline may be needed for an inappropriate costume, especially if a memo was sent depicting the outfit guidelines. Workers who disobey the rules should be told to change clothes, according to McDonald. Hopefully, the indecent costume will be confiscated before the person parades around the office.

"Waiting for complaints about offensive practices is the old way of doing business," says Conine. "If there's a chance that Halloween isn't going to be well- tolerated by some employees, employers should make necessary changes to accommodate the potential concerns."

SICK DAY REASONS

Employees may want to think twice before calling in sick without a reasonable excuse. Thirty-three percent of workers played hooky from the workplace in the last year at least once, according to a survey by CareerBuilder.com that questioned at least 6,800 workers and 3,300 employers. But 31 percent of employers checked up on an employee who called in sick. And 18 percent of managers fired a worker for skipping work without a genuine reason.

The highest amount of workers (30 percent) decided to stay home from work because they needed to relax. Other excuses included: going to a doctor appointment, getting more sleep, running errands, doing housework and spending time with friends and family. Nine percent of employees called in sick to avoid a meeting, to gain more time for a project or to keep away from an angry boss or co-worker.

Employers used a few tactics to make sure employees were truly sick. Seventy-one percent of managers had employees bring them a doctor's note, 56 percent called the worker at home, 18 percent told another co-worker to call the employee and 17 percent even drove by the worker's place of residence.

"It's in your best interest to be up-front with your employer and chances are you'll get the time you need," says Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources. "More companies today are moving toward a Paid Time Off system, giving employees more flexibility in how they categorize time away from the office.

Employers provided the most extreme explanations for missing work:

— Worker didn't want to lose the parking spot in front of his house.

— Worker said he had a heart attack early that morning, but that he was "all better now."

— Worker was kicked by a deer.

— Worker's wife burned all his clothes so he had nothing to wear to work.

— Worker's toe was injured when a soda can fell out of the refrigerator.

— Worker's psychic told her to stay home.

For more information on the survey, visit www.careerbuilder.com.

To find out more about Amy Winter and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.