Screwing the crew
Starting a relationship with someone at work is rarely a good idea. However, with people working longer hours together, in closer proximity than ever before, more and more couples are getting it on at work.
Trying to buck the trend, some companies in the States are asking employees to sign 'Love Contracts' (Consensual Relationship Agreements) to ensure that the couple treat each other fairly if and when an office romance goes wrong.
Despite 'Don't screw the crew' policies in the UK, banning romance in the office seems as impossible as banning Christmas. So how do you balance business and pleasure?
Think!
If there is someone grabbing your eye over your monitor, consider these before making a move:
- Do you mind being the target of office gossip?
- Does this relationship have any future?
- Would you be prepared to leave your job?
If these would be a problem, pursuing the object of your affection probably isn't wise.
The after-hours fuck buddy
Being in a confined space nine to five it is more than likely that some chemistry will spark up between you and a work mate. More often than not, it's a harmless flirtation. A way to pass the time, before you both head back to your real lives, and a fun one at that.
However problems begin when flirtations move from the work situation to after hours drinks. Thinking that the object of your affection is going to welcome being hit on by you, just because you're in a so-called social situation is a big mistake. The fact is whatever you say or do at an office gathering could be duly noted and used against you for the rest of your time at the company.
Taking work flirtations further...
You have to consider how any romance would affect your professional relationship. And what if things ended badly between you? Could you still work together, then?
If you're genuinely interested, then there's no need to hurry into anything just yet. Waiting will give you a chance to get to know each other better, and prove that you're serious about making a success of any potential relationship.
Keeping office life sweet, even if your love life's not...
Anyone faced with an office romance should consider all the consequences first, however if you do get entangled with a colleague, or worse, your boss, you need to work on damage limitation in case it all backfires.
Firstly try and sort the problem with the person in question, if it was just a one night stand, say so, but be kind, you don't want them hurt and desperate for revenge. Ultimately you both have to make work a priority now. Even if you can't improve things on a personal note, make him/her realise that any fallout in your professional relationship will reflect badly on you both.
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