Sage Advice on Dating Coworkers

If you’ve fallen for someone you work with, this advice on dating coworkers can prevent you from making some of the more common mistakes associated with an office romance. Almost all of us have considered dating someone they work with at some point, but there are pitfalls to it to consider. To protect yourself, review my advice on dating coworkers and then carefully decide whether an office romance is worth it in the long run.

Check Your Company’s Policy Regarding Office Etiquette

Most offices don’t actually have a policy against office romance, but do some checking and see what the standard is where you work. There may be unwritten standards or expectations.

Consider Your Status

Consider both your status within the company and the other person’s. A romance between colleagues is probably workable, especially if you work in different departments (in fact, this is preferable so that you aren’t around each other 24/7). A relationship between a superior and someone working under him or her can be a dangerous thing – one person having that much power over another inside the workplace because of personal feelings can be difficult to manage. Think carefully about this advice on dating coworkers before you proceed!

If you begin dating a coworker, make sure you heed this advice to keep your work life and your personal life separate. When you’re dating, try to avoid focusing only on the career topics you have in common. It can make it difficult to determine if your romance is based on anything beyond what you have in common in the office.

What Not to Talk About

Never talk about sensitive or confidential material with the person you’re dating. Often one of you may have access to information that the other won’t at work; this isn’t the stuff that intimate conversations are made of. Gossip about other coworkers is also taboo.

Should You Display Your Affection?

One of the most important tips for dating a co-worker is to keep your relationship out of the office. It can ruin your career – and one of you may even lose your job – if you show off your “happy couple” status at work. There is a time and place for displaying affection, and it’s not during working hours or in the office. Take my advice, others will resent you, and it could jeopardize both your jobs.

Don’t Treat Anyone Special Based on Your Relationship

Don’t assign or accept plum work assignments based on your relationship with someone you’re working with. It may be tempting to give someone you care about special treatment, but it is career suicide.

What if it Doesn’t Work Out?

No advice on dating coworkers should neglect what could happen if the relationship doesn’t work out. You owe it to yourself and everyone you work with to consider this possibility. Can you handle yourself in a professional manner if a break-up occurs? Will you be able to maintain a professional working relationship after a break-up?

When to Call it Quits

My final advice on dating coworkers is to know when to call it quits. If it isn’t working out and the other person breaks up with you, don’t use workplace pressure to try and hang on! This can turn into an accusation of sexual harassment.

Go For It!

If you find yourself yearning to get to know that certain someone who has caught your eye at the office, read these tips for dating a co-worker carefully. Then read them again and memorize this advice on dating coworkers so that you won’t forget it. If you decide you can keep things professional in one part of your life while pursuing romance in another with the same person – go for it!

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