You can’t control who you fall in love with. When you spend eight to nine hours a day in the office it is common to develop romantic feelings towards a co-worker. It may start as a hush-hush affair but it’s hard to keep it a secret from other colleagues for a long time. Sooner or later your office buddies are going to figure that something is cooking between you two.
When it comes to love at the office, different companies have different policies. Some companies may support it fully while others may have some policies against it. So, if you have fallen for a co-worker, here’s everything you need to know about managing your office romance
Do’s of Office Romance
Do Know Your Company’s Policy
Before developing a relationship at work check your company’s rules and guidelines on dating. If your company has an explicit policy against dating a co-worker, then adhere to those rules.
Be very Certain about the Relationship
There is a clear difference between having an affair or a fling. Before entering into a relationship with your co-worker, make sure it’s the real deal. Ensure that you have a connection that extends beyond the office.
Know the Risk
The office romance can either result in a long-term relationship or lead to a breakup. Dealing with the emotional fallout of breakup at the workplace can be extra hard. Do analyse all these factors and calculate the risks of office romance.
Maintain Professionalism
Try not to let your romantic relationship at the office affect your work efficiency. Do remain a team player and maintain your relationship with other co-workers.
Be Careful with Emails
Do not use the office internet for the personal mode of communication. Try not to send personal emails to your love interest at the workplace via an official email account.
Don’ts of Office Romance
Don’t Engage in PDA
Stay away from public display of affection in the office. Avoid touching or holding each other’s hands on the office premises. Do not flirt during corporate functions and give other co-workers a chance to gossip.
Don’t Spend Too Much Time Together
Spending too much time chatting with each other at the office can kill your productivity and make it obvious that you are going around with that co-worker. Avoid doing that as you will have plenty of time to talk when you go out on dates.
Don’t Try to Resolve Personal Issues at Work
Issues and arguments exist in every relationship. But if you are dating someone at work, you need to leave the relationship tensions at the door. Don’t fight or argue at work and resolve your personal disagreements outside the office.
Don’t Gossip about Office Issues
It is quite normal to have disagreements with your team members at work that may upset you at times. Don’t gossip about those issues with the co-worker you are dating just because he/she is available to listen to your woes. Discussing negative things about other people will jeopardize your credibility and may have a bad impact on your relationship.
Don’t be Biased
Just because you are dating a co-worker, you don’t have to support that person even when he/she is at fault. Rather prefer to stay silent than giving a biased opinion. You shouldn’t risk your image just to show your support to your love interest at work.