An Ohio company has embedded silicon chips in two of its employees - the first known case in which US workers have been "tagged" electronically as a way of identifying them.

CityWatcher.com, a private video surveillance company, said it was testing the technology as a way of controlling access to a room where it holds security video footage for government agencies and the police.

Embedding slivers of silicon in workers is likely to add to the controversy over RFID technology, widely seen as one of the next big growth industries.

"There are very serious privacy and civil liberty issues of having people permanently numbered," said Liz McIntyre, who campaigns against the use of identification technology.

But Sean Darks, chief executive of CityWatcher, said the glass-encased chips were like identity cards. They are planted in the upper right arm of the recipient, and "read" by a device similar to a cardreader.

"There's nothing pulsing or sending out a signal," said Mr Darks, who has had a chip in his own arm. "It's not a GPS chip. My wife can’t tell where I am."

Know the rules
Before even entertaining the thought of wooing a co-worker, check your company's employee handbook. If the rules say no inter-office dating and you want to keep your job, keep your thoughts -- and your hands -- to yourself.

Survey says: 35% of U.S. adults have fantasized about a co-worker.

Know your co-worker
Get to know your co-worker before pursuing a romantic relationship. Make sure s/he's single, not one to kiss and tell, and most importantly, not related to your boss.

Survey says: 6% of U.S. adults have dated a relative of a co-worker.

No means no.
She Loves You Not? If you ask a co-worker out and she/he says no, that's it. Game over, do not pass go. Do not ask again, do not sulk, do not make further references to the encounter, jokes or innuendos, Clarence.

Survey says: 16% of U.S. men and 5% of U.S. women say they've been rejected by a co-worker.

Create a workplace prenup
Before moving forward in a relationship, have a candid conversation about what might happen if things go south. Be aware of any potential consequences to your career before starting a relationship and agree on boundaries and expectations.

Survey says: 5% of U.S. adults said they've had romantic relations with a co-worker that made work uncomfortable.

Don't fish in your boss's pond
If your new "love bunny" works in the same department as you do, be prepared to change departments or tell your boss.

Date up, not down
If you have a choice, it's always safer dating someone above you. You may get fired, but at least you won't get slapped with a sexual harassment suit. And on that note...tempting as it may be, stay clear of temps. Contractors, consultants, and interns can all spell trouble, Mr. President. Just because they don't work for your company full-time doesn't mean that the rules of the game are any different when it comes to dating these folks (at least while they're under your roof).

Survey says: 7% of U.S. men and 11% of U.S. women have dated a boss or superior.

Keep your privates private
Don't gab about your new romance. Love in the workplace becomes dangerous when it's out in the open for others to scrutinize. No flirting, furtive glances in the elevator or taps on the derriere. People catch on to these cues.

Survey says: 9% of U.S. adults said they've had romantic relations with a co-worker that resulted in office gossip

Use Hotmail for hot mail
This may seem obvious, but plenty of people disregard it. Never use company email to exchange love notes or anything remotely suggestive. Companies can and do monitor email exchanges. If you must profess your undying affection while at work, use a private web-based email service like Yahoo or Hotmail.

Don't drink and date
Be wary of office parties and more than 2 drinks. Too many careers have been killed when people have dropped their guard at an office party.

Your Office or Mine? Neither.
C'mon people, get a room. Don't have sex or "sexual relations" in the office. Period.

Survey says: 16% of U.S. men and 7% of U.S. women reported having sex in the office.

"For some, being honored in front of one’s peers is a great award. For others, the thought of being put on display in front of their peers embarrasses them," he said in a press release. "It depends on the culture and preference of your particular employee base."

70 percent receive verbal praise, but only 49 percent want it. Then there's the 21 percent of workers who want verbal praise but aren’t hearing it.

40 percent who want written praise receive it.

30 percent who want to be singled out through a special event are recognized that way.

29 percent who want a cash bonus as recognition for their work receive it.

27 percent who want incentives such as award merchandise, gift cards or trips receive them.

27 percent who want an award such as a trophy or plaque receive it.

The efficiency of American workers rose in 2005 at the slowest pace since the recession year of 2001 while a key gauge of wage pressures rose at the fastest pace in five years, the government reported Thursday.

The Labor Department said productivity rose by 2.7 percent last year while labor costs rose by 2.4 percent, the biggest jump since a 4.2 percent increase in 2000. For just the final three months of the year, productivity actually fell by 0.6 percent, the first decline since early 2001, and labor costs rose by 2.4 percent.

The combination of slowing productivity -- the amount of output per hour of work -- and rising labor costs was certain to attract attention at the Federal Reserve, which is worried that rising wage demands could trigger inflation problems down the road.

Limiting access to sites: Employers are using software to block your access to specific Web sites, such as job search sites and personal e-mail accounts. However, if it's determined that you're visiting shopping sites too often, they have the ability to add them to the list of blocked sites, thereby cutting off your access.

Suspension of Internet privileges: If it's determined that your personal Internet and e-mail usage is excessive, expect your employer to suspend your privileges, especially if e-mail and Internet aren't essential to your job.

Monetary fines: This is perhaps where it hurts the most. I spoke to dozens of employers who say they already impose fines - or will begin imposing them - starting at $1,000 per violation for abuse or excessive use of Internet and personal e-mail.