Dear Cubicle Coach: I'm in a position of authority, and I think one of my subordinates has anorexia. It hasn't affected her work, but she's lost a lot of weight lately and she seems very unhappy. Is it overstepping to say something?
Dear Walking on a Thin Line: As the Coach's ever-helpful labor attorney on call so aptly puts it, "Even the most well-intentioned action toward an employee can be misinterpreted." No matter how Nicole Richie - like your minion appears, don't bring it up without first notifying HR, which can help you frame your conversation around work-related symptoms rather than personal concern. The goal is to offer support without compromising your ability to raise performance issues later. Sorry to go all legalese on you, but you're a boss, and you know half your job is avoiding lawsuits. So whether a colleague shows up to a meeting with bruises on her arm, powder under her nose, or a protuberant clavicle, always consult an expert before getting involved.
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