.jpg)
While office relationships can be tricky, fancying a coworker is not new. We’ve seen different versions of office romances with Jim and Pam, Dwight and Angela, and Ryan and Kelly’s love stories span over the course of 10 seasons of The Office. It’s natural to fall for someone you spend most of your day with, whether it’s 9 to 5 or overtime. The basic need for intimacy and connection, especially with someone who has a similar work-life balance to yours, can be more fulfilling than swiping right on a dating app. But while on-screen it may seem romantic to woo your colleague, in real life, office romances are often frowned upon. Here are some things you should keep in mind if you are crushing on your coworker.
When taking any relationship from professional to personal, it’s important to understand that you’re treading a fine line. If you have feelings for your teammate, firstly, find out if that person feels the same way about you and what that person’s interests are. There’s a lot that comes into play here, including your reputation, your professionalism, and the relationship you and your work interest might share with the rest of the team. Some may even think of it as an alternative explanation for your or your interest’s success within the company due to the preferential treatment. And if the relationship doesn’t work out, then it could have dire consequences on your or your work partner’s mental health or professional career at the company.
There are many companies that are against office romances. So it’s better to go through the company rulebook before taking any steps towards building a romantic relationship at your workplace. With multiple sexual harassment cases and the #MeToo movement, companies are constantly evolving their rules and policies to protect the interests of every individual and create a safe working environment for everyone. If you and your work colleague do want to take the relationship a step forward, then speak to your HR on the best way to go about this, without it interfering with either of your work.
Flirting and pursuing a relationship at work can have a negative impact on your character and professionalism. If you’re in a romantic relationship with a colleague, then it’s understandable that you’d want people to know about it, but make sure you don’t subject them to your relationship. Draw a line between your professional and personal life, and that means not complaining or praising your work interest, or getting into an argument with your partner at a workplace. It may sound unromantic but have an open talk with your partner and your colleagues about the relationship to create a healthy and less awkward environment for everyone. It’s also important to make sure that your work stress doesn’t spill over into your relationship.
