DEAR HARRIETTE: I found out that one of the managers at my job is dating one of my co-workers. It's 100% against company policy for a manager to be in any type of relationship with a salesperson.

I'm sensing a lot of favoritism since this relationship started. For example, the manager will allow my co-worker to go home earlier than anyone else on most days. I really want to file a complaint about this, but I do not want to be the bad guy. What should I do? -- Work Issues

DEAR WORK ISSUES: If you legitimately believe that this salesperson is being favored because of an inappropriate work relationship, report it to human resources. You can remain anonymous when filing your complaint. Request that your identity be protected. You will need to have evidence of what you suspect. Otherwise, it’s just hearsay. Before you make your accusation, gather the facts and be able to articulate them clearly. If possible, bring proof to the meeting.

You can tell the human resources representative that it brings you no joy to bring this indiscretion to their attention, but you are concerned for your upward mobility and that of others in the company who do not have the distinct advantage of being intimately involved with one of the bosses.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I put in my two weeks’ notice at work, and my boss gave me a load of things to do before I go. I feel like I am not obligated to do any of them since I am quitting and have already found a new position. It is almost impossible to focus on the transition into my new job because of the humongous work load my boss gave me. At this point, I kind of want to throw my hands up and just leave before my two weeks are up. What should I do? -- One Foot Out the Door

DEAR ONE FOOT OUT THE DOOR: I always say that endings are more important than beginnings. You should leave this job by displaying impeccable work. I imagine that your boss has loaded you with so many projects because you have demonstrated an uncanny ability to do the work. What you may want to do is talk to your boss. Suggest that what you have been given may be too much for you to complete. Ask that your boss select the key projects that would make the best use of your time. Agree to a more realistic workload and go for it. This matters even as you are walking out the door, because it shows everyone that you are a professional and you do your best no matter what. Sometime down the line, your reputation at this job may reverberate somewhere else. Always do your best and handle your business. It is surely worth it.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: Summer is here, which means it's bathing suit season. I’ve always struggled with my body image. I grew up overweight, so I got used to hiding my body in sweatshirts and sweatpants. But now with the heat, my old tricks won’t work, and I am forced to confront one of my biggest fears: my body.

When I think of putting on a swimsuit, I feel like I am putting all my insecurities on display for the world to see. I normally would just avoid all situations where I would have to wear a bathing suit, but my friend recently moved into a house with a pool. She keeps inviting me and my friends over to swim. By not going, I feel left out. I just am not comfortable wearing a bathing suit. What should I do? -- Swimsuit Season

DEAR SWIMSUIT SEASON: For starters, there are all kinds of swimsuits. I feel confident that you can find one that is flattering to your figure. There are tankinis with tops that can be somewhat loose-fitting, matched with all kinds of bottoms, including athletic shorts. Look online for options in your size. There are more choices today than ever. When you find a suit that fits you well, it will give you more confidence.

Next, jump in the water when you get to your friend’s. You don’t have to sit around tanning. Be the girl in the pool. You can splash around, cool off and draw less attention to your body.

When you are out of the pool, you don’t have to wear a swimsuit. Plenty of people go to pool parties and wear street clothes. T-shirts and shorts work fine when you don’t plan to take a dip.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am working on starting a podcast targeted specifically to STEM majors. The podcast began as an extra credit project for school, but all my friends and peers suggested taking the show public. I’ve prerecorded the first few episodes with my co-host, who is also a STEM major. My non-STEM friends are begging me to interview them as well. How do I tell them that they can’t be on my show unless they are in the same field of study? I don't want them to feel left out, and I don’t want them to feel like I don’t value them. -- Aerospace Engineer

DEAR AEROSPACE ENGINEER: Thank your friends for their support of your podcast. Invite them to take a listen so that they get a sense of what you are doing. Feel free to tell them that, at least for now as you are developing your podcast, that the type of guest you are looking to interview is someone specifically interested in science, technology, engineering and math. Be sure to acknowledge that this doesn’t mean that other areas of interest aren’t good. It just means that your show's focus is limited to these categories.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: I feel like my good friend continually inconveniences me. She has no regard for my time. She has a ton of other friends she could bother to do favors for her, yet she seems to ask only me. If I don't do these favors for her, she'll give me attitude for days. I don't like feeling taken advantage of. Should I say something about this? -- Ask Someone Else

DEAR ASK SOMEONE ELSE: Stop jumping when she asks you to do something. Be willing to endure her attitude when you draw the line and create boundaries for yourself. Also, talk to your friend. You should definitely tell her that you are beginning to feel like she is taking advantage of your kindness. Give her concrete examples of what you mean. Explain that you are happy to help her out sometimes, but she is constantly asking you for favors, and it’s just too much. If she pushes back and says something like, “That’s what friends are for. Are you saying you don’t want to be my friend anymore?” counter with the point that being a friend is a reciprocal experience. Right now, this is pretty one-sided, with her asking you for favors and you fulfilling them.

In the end, your behavior will determine what happens next. You do not have to do everything this friend requests, so stop. If she stops acting like your friend, that means she wasn’t a true friend anyway. 

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently went on a mini vacation with three of my best friends. The vacation started out very relaxing, but soon one of our friends began to drink too heavily and needed to be babysat. This same friend continued to be the drunkest out of all of us throughout the course of the trip. None of us talked about the problem while we were together, but I feel like I should mention it now. Should I talk to her about her drinking? It's possible that she behaved like that because she was finally able to let her hair down after quarantine, but she was still completely out of control. -- Concerned

DEAR CONCERNED: You should have said something to this woman on your trip, but now will do. Sit down with her and ask her how she is doing. Tell her how worried you and your other friends were during your vacation because of her constant intoxication. Describe a few of the uncomfortable moments that occurred during your trip and what you and your friends had to do to care for her. Remind her how much you love her and that you are not judging her. Moreover, you want her to know that you think she needs some help. You believe she is developing a drinking problem. Ask her what she thinks. Do your best to get her to talk to you. Ask what’s going on in her life that may be prompting her to drink too much. Find out if she even realizes this is happening. As one of her best friends, let her know you have her back and that pointing out this behavior is how you are supporting her right now.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)