Here’s one for Ms. Manners, or her geeky equivalent: Is it ever proper etiquette to “friend” the boss on Facebook?

The verdict? It’s probably not a good idea. According to a new survey of American Facebook users, just over half (56 percent) say it is “irresponsible” to befriend the boss and an even greater 62 percent say it is wrong to be friends with an employee, Reuters reports.

More survey respondents though feel it is perfectly fine to be friends with a workplace peer, showing office place hierarchies remain intact online as well — at least among Yanks and among this generation of Facebook user.

Perhaps the most interesting part of this survey is who’s behind it: American insurer Liberty Mutual. The insurer created the Responsibility Project to engage the public in thinking about our civic responsibilities, the obvious point being: responsible people make better insurance customers. The insurer even takes on tough topics in a fully interactive site, such as the merits of lowering the drinking age in the U.S. to 18, triggering an interesting online vote and debate.

Insurers are under attack in America. It’s good to see one invite public comment. But we’ve scoured the site and notice there’s no discussion on here about the ongoing healthcare debate and whether universal coverage is a worthy thing for American lawmakers to adopt. Surely, a discussion worthy of civic responsibility. No?