Workplace Challenges

Love and the Workplace

Sparks may fly from one cubicle to another, but should colleagues plunge into the pool of love?

By Hélèna Katz

[ 2009-02-11 ]

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To fall for cupid’s arrow – or not

Is it safe to mix business with pleasure? Are you even allowed? Although most companies don’t have a specific policy about workplace romances, you can bet they probably have codes of conduct outlining how they expect employees to behave and dress. Is the apple of your eye even interested in dating you? If they aren’t, will they take your proposal as it was intended or will they cry sexual harassment?

Mixing business with pleasure

If you do get involved in a workplace workplace romance, experts recommend that you and your loved one set up your own guidelines as to how to behave with each another in the office. Also consider setting boundaries to separate home and work. No need to taint your reputation with unprofessional behaviour and smother your relationship with constant chatter about work.

Making the breakup work

But sometimes even good things come to an end. That’s when you have to be a grown-up about the breakup. Can you stay in your job or do you go elsewhere to make a fresh start? That depends on how the relationship ended and career advancing opportunities elsewhere.