Office Romance - Respect the Rules!

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Mixing business with pleasure is usually a bad idea. 

But if your colleague is drop-dead irresistible, here’s some advice to side-step damage to your professional reputation….. 

Maintain a Professional Demeanor

 Don't let your private feelings spill over into your public behaviour.  Treat one another strictly professionally at work and save the touching, cosy chit chat, cutesy stories and affectionate names for outside of the office.  Maintain an open relationship with co-workers to avoid them feeling excluded by the loved-up couple.

Know Your HR Policy

Some companies tolerate in-office romance, some discourage it and many even have written policies forbidding it.  Ensure you know your company’s policy before deciding whether it’s wise to proceed further.

Be Honest With Your Co-workers

Most of us quickly pick up on an office romance, so be straightforward and transparent.  Let human resources and your bosses know and let your co-workers in on it as well.   Torrid details are to be scrupulously avoided but, on the other hand, any suggestion of deceit may put a question mark over your trustworthiness.

No Online Smooching .

Emailing romantic exchanges via the company computer or canoodling on the internal phone system is playing with fire.  Your contract may well allow your employer access to emails sent during work hours so don’t say anything that would be embarrassing if made public.

Don’t Share Details  

If there are problems in the relationship or – at worst – the relationship ends, the atmosphere will probably be difficult.  If you can avoid sharing the messy details with your co-workers then it’ll make life easier for everyone and avoid any pressure to take sides.


Have YOUR Say

Have you had experience of an office romance or experienced the fallout from a colleague's workplace affair?  Leave a comment below.