Dating In The Workplace: A Do or Dont?

Most of us really take our work seriously, so we spend countless hours there.  In fact your at work so much you become really good friends with colleagues and co workers.  But what happens when work life meets personal/private life?  Its becoming more prevalent that men and women are starting love relationships at the workplace.

Workplace romances are commonplace. "Statistics indicate that anywhere from 40-47% of employees surveyed had been involved in a workplace romance. Beyond the 47% involved, about 20% indicated they were receptive to an office romance. Considering their popularity and vast amount of organizational and relational implications, they warrant study. Yet, they remain an under-studied topic." (2013. Psychology Today. Horan, Sean)

Some believe it's an ethical issue that in some cases is investigated by Human Resources.  I was told in an interview with an HR Director that this kind of thing happens more frequently than you would think.  She told me that depending on the proximity of the employees titles and department they would be allowed to date/marry.  If those employees work in the same department it would not be allowed and would need to be evaluated and a solution would be put in place.  That solution in most cases was to ask one or both employees to find other work or were simply let go.  She explained that as much as they would like to look the other way, it can turn into a liability to the company should these relationships go badly.

In my opinion and experience its a bad idea.  Yes you could actually find your soul mate at work.  The possibility in this happening is so likely because its like college.  Its your everything, simply because your there all the time and you start to cultivate these personal relationships with the people you see most; coworkers.  It happens all the time.

Can you imagine how tough it would be if you dated someone at work and you broke up?  It would be devastating to both parties.  Somebody's going to be more hurt than the other and eventually someone is going to want to be moved or even in the worst cases quit for another job.  The severity of the breakup could also cause it to be uncomfortable for co workers.  A Human Resources nightmare!

I know its hard but in my opinion try to keep your hands out of the cookie jar at work.  There are lots of other cookies elsewhere. 

Happy Dating!