It would be nice to be able to just get up and get away from it all -- but don't count on getting the time off if you haven't booked ahead. Most workplaces will remind you to hand in your vacation requests early, but reminder or not: don't expect your boss to accommodate you just because you got a great deal on an all-inclusive. When booking vacations, keep your workplace's busy seasons in mind, and don't forget about departmental deadlines -- your thoughtfulness will probably be noticed and appreciated.

Are you being asked to do something unsafe at work? Guess what? You can always say no. The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board advises you to report hazardous conditions and avoid taking risks on the job. That includes refusing work that you feel is unsafe. When performing potentially dangerous tasks, take all necessary precautions -- wear a hardhat, put on those steel toe boots, bend your legs before heavy lifting, and remember to wear sunscreen when working outdoors. Doing your job shouldn't be a risky business.

In most jobs the concept of privacy is adjusted to suit the workplace rules and culture. Be aware of the degree to which your personal life is welcomed at your job. For example, using your work email to convey personal correspondence is rarely okay. Using Facebook, emailing a friend on your private account, or making private phone calls at your desk may be fine in some workplaces, but not permitted in others. If you're not sure, ask your employer for workplace policies to see what is okay and what's not.

Even though we all know that our work-assigned email addresses are supposed to be used for business purposes only, it's not uncommon for personal emails about cute cats to make the rounds. While you may think that your inbox is private, you should never write anything that you'd be embarrassed to discuss with everyone at work, including your boss. Most companies retain the right to read employees' emails if they wish -- so keep those messages clean and avoid landing yourself in a sticky situation.

Make your journey to work work for you by cultivating some useful habits while you commute. True, it may seem like more fun to update your Facebook status incessantly, but why not use this time to do something productive like reading the daily news, thinking and planning new creative projects, listening to audio books or even writing down some work-related ideas. Even though you don't get paid for it this may just be the only time when you're able to be by yourself before the noise of the office interrupting your thought process.

Many of us feel pressured to perform when we start a new job. But with so many new tasks to learn, you're bound to get stuck along the way. Rather than fiddling around and seeing if you can find answers on your own, just ask for help. By asking lots of questions, you can gather information quickly and avoid having to start over because you got it wrong. Keep notes as you're being trained, start off slow and you’ll get to the top of the class in no time.

In the age of astronomical education costs, learning for free is a real score. But how many workers take advantage of workplace professional development? Be it an Excel tutorial, a lunch 'n learn or an off-site seminar, these sessions are perks that you should cash into. Not only will you learn something new, you may even be able to beef up your resumé with additional skills and credentials. Taking part in professional development also shows that you're motivated to learn and improve yourself -- a real attribute for someone who's looking to move up the ladder.

After handing in your resignation, you'd planned to ride off into the sunset. Instead, you've been invited to an exit interview. How do you handle this potentially sticky situation? Be prepared to answer questions about your overall job satisfaction and reasons for leaving. While you may have a list of gripes to get off your chest, always maintain a professional demeanor. It's fine to air your grievances but don’t get nasty. The best news of all: exit interviews are voluntary. If you don't feel like participating, you can decline. Talk about an easy exit!

We all like to get our own way, but when you're working as part of a team, compromise is the name of the game. Fighting over small details or making a big fuss just to save face is unproductive. While you may like your idea best, knowing when to back down and let your co-workers win the battle can spare you unnecessary headaches. Keep cool and remember that you can't win every time.

Whether you're meeting with a hiring committee or sealing a business deal, a firm handshake always makes a good first impression. To get it right, grasp the individual's hand (not just the fingers) and squeeze for a couple of seconds while making eye contact. Although a limp handshake can be a real turnoff, crushing someone's hand isn't great either. So don't overdo it. Not sure how your handshake fares? Ask a couple of friends for their opinions. It's definitely something that's worth getting a handle on.

After just starting a new job, you find out that you're pregnant. When and how do you reveal your news at work? First things first: there are no rules about when to announce your pregnancy, but you should probably do it before you start showing. Speak to your boss first, followed by your human resources manager and your colleagues. Offer to help recruit and train your replacement, and make sure to leave your affairs in order before you go. Remember to nurture your new work relationships in the same way you will your newborn.

You're already overloaded this month at work when your boss suddenly asks you to take on a special project. Although it's great to take one for the team or do something extra every now and again, if you're feeling overstretched, recognize your limitations and seek guidance. Ask your boss which tasks are most pressing, and work together to evaluate what can be put on hold. Instead of running yourself into the ground, create a new plan of action that will let you keep an even pace.

Think that being super productive means charging your way through the workday? Well, you're wrong. Taking periodic breaks at work is not only good for you -- it's necessary. The human brain can't sustain intense concentration for hours on end. Your body shouldn't be confined to the same position (whether sitting or standing) for too long either. Even on the busiest days, be sure to step away for a moment or two. Get some fresh air, chat with a colleague or stop to savour a tasty treat. You'll return to work refreshed and better able to get down to business.

Nothing bonds people more than a round of beers after work. Especially now, while it's warm outside -- sitting on the patio with your co-workers can be the best part of the workday. As booze pours, inhibitions begin to disappear, the tongue becomes loose and ... oops! You just told someone you have a crush on your boss. Unless you trust these people with your life, never get too smashy around your co-workers. You never know who is still sober and taking notes.

There's nothing more undesirable than an employee who's full of excuses. If you're trying to get noticed at work, avoid playing defence when the boss asks questions. The "he didn’t return my call" or "I'm waiting on so-and-so" excuses get old fast. Don't let minor roadblocks get in your way, and never say you didn't have time to complete a task because something else came up. If asked about a stalling project, report what you have done. Without excuses blocking your progress, your boss will start noticing you for all the right reasons.

Before slamming the door behind you and yelling "I quit!" consider this: Your hotheadedness may leave you with regrets after you've cooled down. You already know that it's probably a good idea to have a job lined up before you leave, but a level-headed exit gives you more than that. Quitting on good terms means that your former boss may give you a future reference. Your professional reputation is more important than any short-lived satisfaction from having "shown them!"

Who says you can't be responsible for how well your performance review goes? Your task is simple: prove that you're good. Keep a file that contains any praise (mail, emails, noted phone calls) of your performance. You can also ask your co-workers to provide feedback and references for you to show your boss how well you're working within your team. During the review, accept any negative feedback positively: emphasize your desire to learn from your mistakes and suggest a plan on how you can improve for the next performance review.

You're going out after work for drinks, and since there's really no time to change, maybe you should just wear your low-cut blouse to work. Lots of workplaces have specific dress codes, so even though it may botch up your need for individual expression, adjust to your co-workers' dressing attitude. This applies to interview wear as well -- call or drop by the potential workplace before your appointment and inquire about the dress code. Attention to a dress code shows that you're serious about the job and well-informed about the workplace culture.

It would be impossible to be friends with everyone you meet and, of course, your workplace is no exception. In fact, you might even develop serious antipathy toward a co-worker or manager. Unlike childhood confrontations in the sandbox, the workplace is not the place to have outright fights. Spreading the word about how much you dislike someone is out too. If you have a conflict with someone at work, try to come up with a compromise somewhere private (go out for lunch, for example) and never make your personal problems a public affair.

Although it may be fun to hide your office romance from co-workers, guess what? They probably already know. No matter how hot you both are for each other, remain cool-headed at work and don’t let your personal life affect your professional one. Although romance in the workplace has become more acceptable, there are rules to ensure you don’t end up with a double breakup (with work and with the object of your affection). Some workplaces have policies on dating at work, so make sure you’re familiar with them before you get fired for expressing your true feelings.