Although inter-office dating was once a major faux pas, people spending an increasing amount of time at work has made it more common and surprisingly, more acceptable.
According to a 2003 American Management Association (AMA) survey on office romance, 67% of participants said they approved of dating at the office and 30% said they have had an office romance themselves. Some studies suggest that the workplace is the number-one place to meet your spouse. Despite these facts, HR professionals are fighting against office romance. In a survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management, 81% of HR professionals said they consider workplace romances dangerous and could lead to conflict in the workplace. More than half considered office romances a potential legal liability.
Even though office romance seems to be on the rise, it could have some ugly outcomes. It’s important to keep these in mind before dipping a toe in the office dating pool:
• You could become the center of the latest office water cooler gossip.
• Coworkers may begin accusing you of being favored in the company if they find out about your romance; (this is why you should NEVER get involved with a boss).
• The relationship could end badly, forcing you to be in an uncomfortable situation every day in your workplace.
• You could lose your job.
These may seem like deal breakers, but many people have found a way to get around them and come out of an office relationship alive, with their jobs intact. The Globe and Mail (Canada) had readers share their office romance stories. The first section is full of successes; people who are engaged or married to their office love. The second section contains stories from readers who's romance ended badly and advice to those who want to engage in an office romance. Here are more office romance success stories that I found on a chat website.
If you considering dating or dating a coworker, first read these Pros and Cons of office romance, especially if you have never dated a coworker before.
I ask my readers: what are your thoughts on the subject? Have you ever dated a co-worker? If so, how did it turn out?
Comments
Jim and Pam from "The Office" are a perfect example of a fairy tale office romance! But we can't all have perfect television lives... I think depending on how mature the couple is the relationship can work out.. but if they're one of those couples that gets in arguments and tries to get other people in on it.. YEAH RIGHT! No one likes being put in the middle of other people's fights.. ya know?
I think the office is a great place to meet someone, but best if you didn't work directly with them in your department. If your worked at the same company with your spouse you could drive to work together.... save gas and the environment!
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