KATHY MITCHELL AND MARCY SUGAR \ Annie's Mailbox Married co-workers are having affair

Dear Annie: I work in a health care facility. For the past eight months, our married director of nursing has been having an affair with a married member of the nursing staff.
I don't care if the two of them are cheating. My problem is that they will behave in inappropriate ways when the "top dogs" are not around. That includes doing naughty things in any corner of the facility -- including some of the residents' rooms. This is both unethical and unprofessional.
We informed the "top dogs," but either they don't believe these two individuals are monkeying around, or they don't want to address it. I know this a very personal issue, but do we have a right to stop them from fooling around in the facility? As subordinates, is there anything we can do? Confused Worker
Dear Confused: This is a matter of professional ethics. Whistle-blowing can be hazardous to your career, but there is strength in numbers. Document every instance where this couple is acting inappropriately in the facility, especially in the residents' rooms. Then a group of you should get together and inform the couple that their behavior is both unprofessional and quite noticeable. Give them the opportunity to find a more private place. Otherwise, bring your documentation to the "top dogs," as well as the appropriate professional nursing organization in your area.
Dear Annie: My 9-year-old wants to sit in the front seat of the car. When he travels with me, I insist he sit in the back, period, and say he must do so until he is at least 11. My husband, on the other hand, allows him to sit in the front seat.
It started with short runs to the store, but now my husband drives him to long-distance hockey tournaments across town, which require travel on busy highways in heavy traffic, with our son in the front seat.
I have expressed my dismay to both my son and my husband, and have explained the dangers of the airbag for a small child, but my pleas are ignored. Am I overreacting? What is the appropriate age/height for kids to be in the front seat? Precautious Mom in Montreal
Dear Mom: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that all children age 12 and under be buckled up in the back seat, regardless of height. If your husband absolutely will not do this, ask him to at least move the passenger seat back as far as possible, so if the air bag should go off, your son is less likely to be harmed. We have a hard time understanding a parent who is unwilling to put his child's safety first, no matter how small the chance of an accident.
Dear Annie: I work in a doctor's office and would like to comment on the letter from "C.T. in N.Y.," who was upset that the office staff demanded her Social Security number for insurance purposes.
The change in the health care industry to not using the patient's Social Security number began in earnest only last year. Some insurance companies have switched to ID numbers that are different, and other companies will be switching with their renewal policies, which means there are some people who are still identified with their Social Security number and others who are not. Local hospital systems are still in the process of identifying patients with other numbers, but to locate old records, lab results, X-rays, etc., we still need the Social Security number.
In a few years, this process will be complete, but for now, we still ask for the patient's Social Security number on our registration form. It constantly amazes me that patients will trust us with their lives, but not with their Social Security numbers. Virginia Beach, Va.
Dear Virginia: We appreciate the explanation. Identify theft is a genuine threat, and patients need to be cautious. We are glad to know the system is changing.
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