It is true that you can’t always help who you fall in love with, but when it is a co-worker, things can often become pretty tricky. When it comes to dating a co-worker, there are different rules that need to be followed than if you were dating someone outside of the workplace. Not only do you need to be able to keep things discreet, you also need to know how to deal with a breakup. Today we are going to take a look at eight rules that must be followed in order to successfully date a co-worker.
- Always be Professional – When you are in a relationship with a co-worker, it can be hard to find that line between your personal and your professional life. You need to create boundaries for the workplace, and always stay within those boundaries in order to be professional. Avoid flirting around the office, sneaking kisses, holding hands, etc.
- No Open Displays of Affection – This goes back to being professional, but it is also important to not display your affection for one another in the office so as to not make others uncomfortable. You can be as passionate as you want outside of the workplace, but while you are at work, you need to make sure that you are not acting silly and annoying everyone that you work with.
- Consider Your Co-Workers – When you are dating a co-worker, you also need to have some consideration for your other co-workers. They probably don’t want to hear about your relationship all the time, nor do they want to end up being in the middle of any arguments you and your partner may be having. Again, keep your relationship separate from the workplace so you don’t make anyone uncomfortable.
- Don’t Show Preferential Treatment – “It is human nature to show preferential treatment to your significant other, but when you are dating in the workplace, this is something that you need to avoid doing. This is especially true if you are in a position of management. Other employees could end up becoming jealous if they think that your partner is moving ahead because of their relationship with you, or vice versa,” says an expert from Manhattan Women’s Health & Wellness.
- Corporate Email is for Business Only – Don’t send flirty messages or love notes online via company email or the corporate network. It is too easy for your employers to be able to check what you are doing online, and if you are using company emails to send messages to the co-worker you are dating, it is likely going to be frowned upon.
- Don’t Date Your Boss – No matter how nice or how good looking your boss may be, avoid the temptation to date them. This rarely tends to work out, and it can lead to a lot of issues in the workplace. Not only will your co-workers be jealous and feel that you are going to get preferential treatment, think about what will happen if you break up.
- Don’t Date for Workplace Advancement – It is never a good idea to date someone at work simply because you think it can help you to advance in your position. Not only is advancement unlikely, you are going to make enemies of your co-workers, because they will think that you are getting ahead because of who you are dating.
- Tell Your Boss – If you are dating a co-worker, and the relationship is becoming serious, you need to inform your employer about the relationship. It is better to be up front than end up in an awkward situation because the boss has found out before you had a chance to tell them. No matter how much you try to keep things quiet, there is always going to be someone who knows and blows the whistle on you.
