Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Sun Lite for Oct. 13, 2003

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, Oct. 13, 2003 | 8:09 a.m.

In the cards

Employees everywhere, commence puckering: Thursday is National Boss Day. Time to kiss up to "The Man" (or "The Woman," as the case may be) by flattering them with gifts, or at least a little more respect than is displayed during a typical work day.

According to stats from the U.S. Department of Commerce and greeting-card giant Hallmark, there are nearly 42 million folks in "managerial and professional positions or occupations" nationwide. These days a growing number of big cheeses are female nearly 50 percent in 2001, versus almost 41 percent in 1983.

In an effort to promote its extensive line of National Boss Day cards and gifts, Hallmark offers a bit of history on the head-honcho holiday, which became official in 1958. That's when Patricia Bays Haroski, a State Farm Insurance Co. worker in Deerfield, Ill., took it upon herself to register the National Boss Day with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce probably hoping to land a write-up in the company newsletter, or a prime parking spot at the office.

Haroski's sucking up didn't stop at work. Her home life influenced her decision to help designate Oct. 16 a holiday: That was the birth date of her father who, Hallmark reports, Haroski "felt was an exemplary boss." There's one in every office.

Chair affair

But will a greeting card alone be enough to secure the points you'll need to land a big raise this year? How about giving your boss a regal place to rest his/her derriere, which must be dog-tired from turning your nose that not-so-lovely shade of brown?

The Gunlocke Oval Office Chair should do the trick. The leather chair is an exact replica of the one used in said office by John F. Kennedy, and is the latest must-have office supply among Hollywood's elite including Ben Affleck, who received one from his on-and-off-beloved, Jennifer Lopez.

The chair is manufactured by the Gunlocke Company of Wayland, N.Y., and has served as the preferred seat for no less than nine American presidents. In 1961 the company worked with Kennedy's physician to create a chair to comfort the president, who suffered from chronic back pain. It features a maple-wood frame, 11-gauge-steel springs in its seat and foam padding that doesn't sag.

The Oval Office Chair was featured in the Kevin Costner flick "Thirteen Days." Conan O'Brien is also the proud owner of one. You can be, too: Visit the online shopping website www.newyorkfirst.com and fork over $2,490.

Being bossed around

Sentimental cards and swanky chairs aside, your boss is still your boss. So don't be surprised when, after you break the bank buying presents, he or she continues to enforce the office laws, especially dress-code standards.

According to the results of a survey commissioned recently by hosiery maker No nonsense of 150 CEOs and senior-level execs throughout the country proper workplace attire is a huge issue among company bigwigs, whose biggest peeve is the wearing of jeans at work among employees. Instead, bosses reported, they would prefer their peons, er, personnel wear shoes (as opposed to sandals or "flip-flops"); less tight/revealing garb; and restrict shorts, capri pants and sweat suits to after-work wardrobes.

Meanwhile the bulk of the execs queried (70 percent) said an employee's on-the-job duds affect the worker's state of mind and productivity, and that those who dress for success typically achieve career goals more quickly. Now, cover up that belly shirt and get back to work.