Monica Burton
At SmartSign, Monica manages and contributes to various blogs. Prior to joining the SmartSign content team, she helped produce and manage content for online publications, including NYmag.com and StyleCaster.com. Monica studied journalism and French at New York University and attended the Columbia Publishing Course, where she learned the ins and outs of book, magazine and digital publishing. She grew up in Philadelphia, Tucson and Central New Jersey, but has called New York home for the past six years, and has lived in Brooklyn, specifically, for the last two. When not reading up on the latest in waste management for RecycleReminders, she enjoys reading long-form journalism, contemporary fiction and restaurant menus.
Monica Burton's Latest Posts
Subway accessibility wasn’t a priority for newly-renovated Brooklyn station
Here in New York, public transportation is integral to daily life. Most of us must descend multiple flights of stairs or hop on an escalator to get to our train, after which the whole process repeats itself on the other end and then again at the end of the day. This is all fine for […]
What does “We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone” really mean?
In restaurants and near cash registers, we’ve all seen signs that state: “We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.” But who can business owners really refuse service to? It’s certainly not just anyone. Here’s a breakdown of what is and isn’t covered by this familiar phrase. Can business owners really refuse service to anyone? […]
The Office Courtesy Series: 8 Elevator Etiquette Essentials
Proper elevator etiquette is essential. Of all the modern conveniences, elevators might win in being the most loved and hated. We love them when they work and we would otherwise have to hike up several flights of stairs, but hate them when they’re broken, stop on every floor, or move too slowly. At times, slow elevators can […]
Office Courtesy Series: Putting the Kibosh on Kitchen Cops
Australian news organization the Herald Sun has a problem that many office workers can relate to: overzealous kitchen cops. The mess that inspired these office workers to post no less than six homemade signs around the kitchen is certainly a problem, but the bigger issue may be this out-of-control signage. There’s a sign instructing employees […]
Philadelphia makes gender-neutral restrooms the law
Most of us don’t think twice when pushing through bathroom doors marked “women” or “men,” “ladies” or “gents,” or any other iteration of those two genders. But for some, deciding which communal restroom to use isn’t so simple. In Philadelphia, transgender people, who often have to weigh their gender preference against how they will be […]
How to plan the perfect office potluck
Your event planning budget is tapped, but you still want to get the office together for an afternoon of bonding and putting off tedious tasks: It’s the perfect excuse for a potluck. Planned carelessly, though, potlucks can leave everyone wishing they’d just gone out to lunch or, worse, opted for a sad desk salad. With […]
Check out MyDoorSign’s all-gender restroom signs on Mashable!
We’re very proud to announce that our all-gender restroom signs — and our efforts to donate them to schools and LGBTI organizations — have been featured on Mashable. As more cities recognize the need to create safe spaces for everyone, we’re more than happy to do our part by making available the best possible signage. Check out the […]
7 last-minute Halloween costumes for the office
Haven’t figured out what to wear for your office’s annual Halloween party yet? And it’s tomorrow? Don’t fret! Here are seven costumes you can throw together at the last minute with stuff you’re likely to have lying around the office, making these selections the perfect office Halloween costumes. Now, the only think you’ll have to […]
California lets transgender students use the restroom of their gender identity
Last week, California became the first state to require public schools to allow transgender K-12 students access to the restrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identities. Democratic Governor Jerry Brown signed bill Assembly Bill 1266 into law on August 12th. In addition to allowing transgender students to use the restrooms and locker rooms of […]
Would you recognize an office psychopath?
Here’s something spooky in anticipation of Halloween later this month: Psychopaths. They’re overtly charming, capable go-getters, but ultimately callous individuals with no capacity for empathy. And they may work in your office. While the most famous psychopaths are those who have resorted to criminal behavior, this is not prerequisite to falling into the category. In […]
