Now, you know I care, so pretend this is your big sister talking to you. Love in the workplace? Why are you even asking me this question? You know better, getting involved with someone at work can be fraught with issues. Forget issues, how about major problems:
- Possible Human Resources concerns depending on your company
- Consider that you may be compromising your ethical/professional principles
- Colleagues may whisper behind your back
- If the apple of your eye is a subordinate, harassment charges could be filed if the relationship does not work out
- If the target of your affection is a superior, peers may say "Honey Bun" is playing favorites when assignments are given
- Can you really trust the individual not to spread your intimate business around the office, especially if you break-up?
- Speaking of breaking up, if this happens, you may have to see the individual every day or week things may get really tense in terms of working together
- You might sabotage your job and get fired
Are we clear now? No, you say this only makes your ardor stronger for Muffy? Well, okay fine, if you insist. Love in the workplace can be successful if you:
- Are very mature, and go in with no grandiose expectations. Proceed with caution
- Choose someone else who is very mature
- Keep the budding relationship a secret from co-workers - especially until you know where it is headed
- Do discreet research in Human Resources of the "fraternization" policies, just in case your fling comes to light
- Determine that your job performance will not suffer. As a matter of fact, step it up a notch!
- Try not to allow arguments to spill over to the workplace
Enjoy the rare treat of cupid success, and if the relationship goes long-term, write an article about how to do it. Remember, love is like war; very easy to start and difficult to end!
by Dee Jaye Clark
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