Is An Office Romance Ever a Good Idea?
Most companies frown on office romances, yet it is a common practice. A surprising number of couples meet their mates at work. According to a CNN survey, 40% of participants have had an office romance, and 66 % didn’t feel the relationship needed to be kept secret.
Co-workers often have more time and opportunity to get to know each other than at social activities. Being a teammate satisfies our need for human connection. Working side by side for eight hours per day creates familiarity. It is normal to develop feelings of affection for our co-workers, as they become a “family”of sorts. In many cases, we spend more time with co-workers than our own families. When office romances begin, employees are initially happier, more energetic and productive as a result of their newfound attraction.
However, if you’re looking for love at work, you might want to consider how an office romance can affect your career and whether it’s worth the risk to go there. Other co-workers may feel threatened by it. They may fear that the office romance poses a danger to their own careers. If the romance is well known in the company, the opinions of the romantic couple may be discredited. If they agree on a work issue, it might be attributed to the romantic relationship. If they disagree, it may be discredited as a couples conflict. Generally speaking, romances are more damaging to the partner with the least seniority when they fail.
So should you indulge in an office romance? Read your contract to check the accepted protocol for in-office dating before engaging in flirtations. It is best not to have an office romance when you are new to a company. Take time to find out who has been involved with whom. Be careful not to inappropriately approach someone who may perceive you as sexually harassing them. Avoid romances with key people in your own department. Never finance an office romance on the company expense account. Never take your employer’s time to satisfy your own romance – do that on your own time outside of the office. Maintain appropriate behavior at work. Don’t lose sight of your professional responsibilities and ambitions.
Before starting, recognize that the relationship may end. There is nothing worse than eight hours per day in the company of someone you have rejected, or who has rejected you. Handle the breakup in a mature manner and be careful not to let the loss create a negative work environment or poor performance.