Should You Date Your Co-worker?

You probably might have heard that romance and career don't mix. Daily contact with a love partner at work might increases the likelihood of tension, drama, and damaged feelings if the relationship is not properly managed. But then, as humans, the truth is, ignoring our feelings isn’t always possible.

And, just because something might work out doesn't necessarily mean that it will. Office romances can be problematic, so they should be handled with caution. If you think you are falling in love with a colleague, the first check is to be sure your corporate policy allows for office romance.

Office romance is prohibited under several organizational regulations. And the causes are clear. These company procedures provide for the potential for fraud collaboration. The same reason their regulations forbid staff marriage. One party must always resign. Although, I have heard that some brands still allow family members to work together, including Walmart in America.

But yes, the issue of distraction is one other aspect of an office romance that should be looked into. You must have the capacity to manage yourself. Simply because you're in love shouldn't force your work to suffer. You need to be able to focus on your work. Why would someone fire you only because they are in love? Your senior manager has the right to terminate your appointment if he believes you are being unfocused and negligent in your work. That's a hefty price to pay for love. Use your head.

And then there's the concern that anything might go wrong in the relationship. Are you both confident in your ability to handle a confrontation at work? Will it affect your ability to focus if s(he) offends you or does anything that irritates you? Will it breed resentment? Will it lead to malice to the extent that the company starts to suffer as a result of your avoidance of contact? Will the argument affect your judgment in any way? These are actual questions you should look into before going into relationships with your colleagues.

By all means, sha don't date your boss. It's not good practice at work. Power Dynamics is already at work and can generate a lot of negative feelings. Whenever negative feelings are involved, the subordinate is the one that will always suffer the consequences. But for a colleague, it's suggested you expressly clarify your status. Emotional MOU’s (Memorandum Of Understanding) are not binding. And that’s all you have! Ask your colleague directly what’s going on between both of you, and what (s)he wants. All in all, this is your decision to make. But take it advisedly. Of course, many beautiful marriages started in the office. We’re all going to meet our spouses in some way.

Abi?