Workplace dating, can it work?
He’s new to the organisation so your boss asks you to
show him the ropes and take him around. At first you were not up for it but
then you realised his butt looked good in those pants and when he smiled his
dimples stood out like a beacon.
Yup, there’s definitely chemistry and you can see your
future children already. However, he is your co worker and there are so many
things that can go sideways and make your office environment uncomfortable if
not downright toxic. So should you chance it, or leave well enough alone?
Firstly, you better ensure that your company does not
have policies in place against co-workers fraternising. Some entities do and if
you are caught commingling then one or both of you can lose your job. Since a
bank has never cashed love, it makes no sense to lose your jobs over it.
Additionally, look at the parameters of relationship
boundaries at the office as simple greetings and compliments today can be
termed as ‘harassment’ if it goes sour down the road. Knowing your rights early
can save you time, headache and even a lawsuit later on.
Even with knowing what the rules are, you go ahead because
you are in love and they’re ‘the one’ for you. Now he/she expects you to spend
all your free time including your coffee break with them. Pretty soon you
realise all of your time in office and at home is in the company of the same
person to the exclusion of all others. What was cute initially becomes
exhausting over time since the person does not even give you a chance to miss
them. With a workplace romance, you spend so many hours together it can get overwhelming.
Some office affairs end so badly that one person has
to be transferred to another department or even another branch because it interfered
with the actual work and the boss did you a favour by not firing you for
compromising the work environment.
But why chance it? Jobs are harder to find than a partner
so your best bet is to keep it neutral until one party finds an opportunity elsewhere.
Until then, you can make do with platonic water cooler break.
