Out of all the the fish in the sea, you decide to pick the one you work with. It’s pretty common to shack up with someone at the office. Be careful, a blooming romance can turn into a nightmare. Dating a co-worker comes with a mini-manual of guidelines that need to be applied.
1)Be Professional- Yes, we know you are in love but that’s all we need to know. The last thing you want someone to scream is for you to, “Get a room”. If you are going to romance in the office, you have to remember you are at the office. If you feel the need to make-out, stick it in your pocket and wait until the clock strikes five. If you get sudden urges of sexual tension, save it for your lunch break. If your boss finds you and Bob making whoopy in the cooler, you might be without a partner and a job. Please have respect for your co-workers, your partner and yourself. If you let your love life overflow into the work place, you might be creating a big mess that you can’t clean up.
2)R-E-S-P-E-C-T- Aretha Franklin said it best when she sang “Respect”. You need to respect the rules at work. If it states in the mini-manual not to date co-workers, it’s probably a good idea not to. Unless you are the type that thrives on drama, go for it. Dating someone at work when it’s against the rules will only set you up for a broken heart and unemployment. There are hundreds of people out there, you don’t ‘have’ to find someone at work if it’s against policy. If you must break the rules, please read over #1.
3)Off Limits- It’s probably not a good idea to seduce your regional manager. The last thing you need to do is romance the one who cuts your checks. You are putting yourself in a sticky situation when you go for the unattainable. Sure, it might seem like some sort of fantasy at first. Who doesn’t want to get in “good” with the boss? Better yet, who doesn’t want to be seducing the boss’s son? Be sure you know your limits and allow yourself to set boundaries. Again, if you must go against the grain and bust out the seduction, read over rule #1 & #2.
4)Kiss & Tell- So, you’ve already done the deed and now it’s time to brag…or is it? You better thing twice before you go around the office whistling Dixie. I’m sure all your co-workers want to know how your co-worker-lover likes to scream “Can’t Touch This” in bed. If your partner finds out you’ve been kissing and telling there might be some serious repercussions. The quickest way to get your personal business out into the work place is to blab about your partner. Try to be mature about the love affair at the office. If you must tell someone, call a friend that doesn’t work with you.
I know several people that have met their mate at work. Most of them maintained some sort of professionalism through it’s entirety. You must do the same. Keep all of your relationship issues at home and not at the work place. The quickest way to lose a job is your attempt to rock the cradle. Allow yourself to be professional while continuing to get your work done. Try to maintain a level of respect for all involved, including yourself. Also, it’s good to know who is off limits for the sake of your job. Finally, don’t run around the office spilling your love life to anyone who will hear it. If you go by the mini-manuals guidelines, you are more likely to have a successful fling with your co-worker-lover.
06/3/08 Relationships Comment
