With more than 60% of couples meeting in the workplace, the old rule of never dipping your nib in the office ink, is clearly ignored on a regular basis. There is nothing wrong with workplace romance in of itself, but if you want to ensure that it doesn’t affect your career, you’ll need to follow these three cardinal rules.
Before we go any further, I feel the need to add that I’m talking about office romances between two single individuals. If we were talking about office affairs, there would only be one cardinal rule: Don’t do it!
3. Don’t Let Your Feelings Interfere With Your Work
This can be difficult, because if you’re in a relationship with a co-worker, subordinate or boss, it’s all too easy to let your feelings for that person affect your decision making. To a certain extent this is natural. However, if an emotional entanglement is having a negative effect on your work, you’re in danger of losing your job.
Therefore, it’s a good idea to discuss with your lover the need to keep things professional while in the workplace. You may need to check yourself form time-to-time, but if you’re both on the same page, in terms of keeping your romance separate from the workplace, it’ll help.
2. Don’t Do Anything That Could Incite Bitterness
I sincerely hope that you and your office beau go on to get married and spend the next sixty years together, but there is the possibility that it won’t work out. So, be prepared for the fact that, although you’re currently working with your lover, you might soon be working with your ex. To ensure that you can still continue to work cordially, make sure you do nothing that could create bitterness.
In other words, always be honest with your colleague/lover. And, if you feel that things aren’t working out, call it off in a mature and sensitive fashion.
1. Always Keep Things on The Down Low
The most important rule to office romance, is keep it discreet. I realize that the art of discretion may be dying in this ‘reality TV-obsessed’ world of ours. However, if you’ve got it, you don’t always have to flaunt it. This is especially true when it comes to office romance.
Let’s put it another way, you don’t really want the people you work with to know all about your love and sex life, do you? I’m guessing the answer is “no”. So, ensure you’re not blabbing anything personal about your lover.
Another good reason to keep your relationship private is that office romance tends to create office gossip and office drama. If you don’t want to be the subject of either of these things, it’s best to keep things low-key. Again, keep in mind that the relationship might not work out and you don’t really want to be your colleagues’ replacement for a daytime drama, do you?
Office romances can be great, but if you want to remain professional and productive at work, then it’s wise to keep the above in mind.
