|
In the 1980s, Pat Benatar banged out
the lyrics, “Love is a Battlefield,” and if you don’t proceed with
caution, that’s exactly how an office romance can turn out.
Although workplace relationships can create some sticky personal and
professional situations, employers can’t stop them and employees can’t
seem to avoid them. When you put women and men with similar interests and
careers in the same environment for at least 40 hours a week, it’s
impossible to contain the romance fires. A recent study put the number of
working adults who have dabbled in dating a co-worker at 30 percent.
Banning office interludes is next to impossible, so employers have to rely
on employees handling the relationships in an appropriate manner. More
often than not, that’s easier said than done. But as anti-nepotism rules
in the workplace have gone the way of the dinosaur, companies are
embracing policies that are more family friendly. Southwest Airlines is
one example, boasting more than 1,000 married couples within its ranks,
according to Inc.com.
So, if you have your eye on a man at work, here are some common sense
suggestions to follow when mixing business with pleasure:
► Shakespeare wrote in King Henry IV that, “discretion is the better part
of valor.” It’s wise to follow any phrase that promotes caution as the
smartest policy, especially when it comes to relationships. If you’re
attracted to a male coworker, go slowly and be discreet about it. Don’t
advertise your intentions and motivations to everyone in the office. Don’t
constantly hang around at his desk or in his office. Instead, try going
out to lunch together, a drink after work or communication through email,
which has become the vehicle that drives office romances. Since most
companies have access and legal rights to monitor employee email, use it
wisely and keep your comments above the belt.
► So, you’ve met a man at work and have hit it off. What now? Well, first
of all, no one wants to see you making out in break room, so put your
hormones in check. After some time, it may be OK if co-workers know that
you’re going out, but you should still maintain some discretion. Both you
and your new male friend should be acutely aware of the potential pitfalls
if things don’t work out. If you have any suspicions that a breakup will
result in an uncomfortable and unprofessional situation, look elsewhere
for a potential date or boyfriend.
► If it’s your boss or a superior you fancy, then that’s all the more
reason to be cautious. When work status is unequal between a couple, the
manager can be in the unenviable position of demanding certain things or
being privy to information that he or she can not share. If your boss is
also your lover, the conflict of interest can certainly foster resentment
and accusations of favoritism among other employees, resulting in a sticky
situation.
► There are certainly positives to working with a man you’re dating, among
them the companionship and development of a healthy relationship could
bring you closer together. However, the constant contact can also work is
the opposite direction, fostering friction and resentment. Some women –
and men – just aren’t cut out to be with their significant other all day,
every day. Jealousy can also rear its ugly head. It’s necessary to have
contact with other employees throughout the workday, and simple
communication may end up being misconstrued as flirting, or worse.
Like any good relationship, communication is the key. And it requires an
extra effort if you’re going to be dating someone at work. Outline all the
ground rules, remain professional, discuss potential pitfalls and before
diving into any relationship, make sure both parties can balance the
tricky aspects of career and the office romance.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Read more
articles |
Writers
Profile
Teena Rose is a columnist, public speaker, and
certified/published resume writer with
Resume to Referral. She’s
authored several books, including "How
to Design, Write, and Compile a Quality Brag Book,
20-Minute
Cover Letter Fixer, and
Cracking the
Code to Pharmaceutical Sales.
|
