Is Dating A Coworker A Bad Idea?

Working in a small business has its benefits, but dating a coworker is not one of them. If it is a larger business and both parties work in separate areas, or different branches of the company, dating a coworker may be possible.

The Complications Of Dating a Coworker

Imagine, if you will, dating a coworker, and all is great for a period of time. Then one day, you begin to hear rumors that your partner has eyes for another person in the building. Now, whether it is a small place or a large place, this could cause some serious issues for you both.

A bad breakup is hurtful to each person. When you are working, you have associates that you are friends with, and some you are not friends with. The same is true for your former partner.

Any issue you had in that relationship could travel from one mouth to the next and create a massive divide at work. There will be people who are on your side and others who will stand by your ex. Honestly, it will not matter what the truth is. Friends side with friends no matter what.

Seeing Each Other

Even if the breakup is mutual, the chances of seeing each other at work are still there. The emotional toll it takes on two people can hinder the job performance on their end. This, in turn, can lead to issues with the boss and employer. If the break up is really bad, one or both of you could be terminated from your positions. An employer will never choose sides.

Not Seeing Each Other

Of course, as stated, if the business is a large place and there is no chance that you would be intermingling during the workday, it is possible to have a relationship with a coworker.

Is It A Fleeting Romance?

If either one of you feel that this relationship is only based on sex or that it is possible that it is just a fleeting romance, where it likely will not last. The best bet is to end it right away. In a situation where it is not a serious relationship, the employment should mean more than the sex.

Company Policy Above All Else

As is often the case, many businesses and employers do include a dating policy in the company handbook of terms. Within these policy guidelines, it would state that there is no dating within the company. So, if you do date a coworker, this is putting you both at risk for termination immediately.

Positions Matter

The company policy should be considered the gold standard when it comes to in-office romance. Especially if one of you sits at a higher position than the other. Such as management versus labor.

Discretion Advised

There are millions of people that firmly believe that if they are discreet, no one will find out at work, so the jobs are not in danger. All it takes is one sighting when you go out to dinner, and the whole charade is over. So think twice about dating, then think twice again.

If The Relationship Can’t Go On

Of course, there may be those people who begin dating and then realize that they cannot live without this other person. This, most likely, means that you will need to sit down and have a discussion with your boss. There may be a chance that the relationship may be allowed. This would be the case where there is no contact whatsoever between the two each day.

Just be fully aware that coming clean to the boss may mean that the two of you will need to make a decision. That could mean one or both of you need to leave your employment or just one of you, or it could mean that a break up may have to happen. Either way, in a situation such as this, at least one person is going to be hurt.

The good and bad must be weighed, the pros and cons tossed up, and see where it lands.

Boundaries and Guidelines

Just to be sure, if the two of you have decided to go ahead and try to keep a relationship going, there should be boundaries and rules, so to speak—the rule of never use the other as a tool if something happens at work. Do not lean on the other person to find a way out of a particular assignment.

Most importantly, once inside the doors, it is not a romantic relationship. It needs to be coworker to coworker only. That is the hardest and most difficult to follow, especially if you love each other. Sneaking in a quick hug and kiss while in the elevator could still get you caught by the boss or some other nosy employee.

Put Work Above Dating Your Coworker 

Whether the relationship is just beginning, ending, or if you are worried about being found out, do your best work at all times when at work!

Working in a small business has its benefits, but dating a coworker is not one of them. If it is a larger business and both parties work in separate areas, or different branches of the company, dating a coworker may be possible. The Complications Of Dating a Coworker Imagine, if you will, dating a coworker,…