Boo'd Up At Work?
Do Count the Cost
What's the worst thing that could happen? If you're going to take the risk of getting into an office relationship, weigh the potential consequences. If you can handle the worst-case scenario, then go for it. In the workplace, if it's your supervisor or someone you work with directly and it ends up not working out, are both of you mature enough to continue working together and not have any residual potentially negative feelings?
Don't Move too Fast
If you're flirting in the workplace, it can be misconstrued as sexual harassment. Make sure that the person you're interested in won't take it the wrong way and that they're also attracted to you. You also don't know this person's emotional stability if rejection becomes a reality. If it doesn't work out, what if they try to bring you down with them?
Do Try to Hide Your Relationship
Don't throw your relationship in front of all your coworkers because this could just make everyone uncomfortable, especially if you're not yet sure if the relationship is real or stable. You also want to keep it hidden until you read your company's Code of Ethics and Conduct because it may state that you're not allowed to engage in intimate relations with your coworkers.
Don't Show Too Much PDA
This is also another way to make your coworkers uncomfortable. If you're in a relationship, you'll find ways to be around each other, and you want to make sure that those ways don't involve displays of affection that could potentially jeopardize your relationships with other team members.
Don't Make Every Lunch a Date
Space is important, especially in a relationship where you're both with each other for the majority of the day. It's important to establish boundaries where they won't feel left out if you have lunch with someone else, or if you want to have time to yourself between work hours to decompress.
Do Keep Your Coworkers Out of Your Business
You don't need to tell your coworkers every detail about your relationship, especially if you're not sure if the relationship will work out. This is especially important in potential cases where one of your coworkers is attracted to you or your partner and may want to look for ways to jeopardize the relationship, such as telling your boss about it.
Do Have a Life Outside of the Job
If you don't have a life outside of your job that doesn't involve your partner, then you likely won't want to see them at your workplace because you already see them at home. If you're not serious about the relationship, keep your space because you'll start to act differently with them on the job, which will become obvious over time.
Don't Treat Your Coworkers as Your Dating Pool
Don't go from person to person within the office because some of them may want to get revenge on you, which can kill your chances at promotions, raises, job opportunities, etc. People can be ruthless when it comes to the workplace, and you don't want to put yourself in a bad spot.
Do Read Policies Before Discussing with Your Boss
If you're not aware of the company's relationship policies before telling your boss about your office romance, there's a chance you could be fired on the spot for breach of conduct. Corporate America is very careful about sexual harassment and companies will always protect their interests over your relationship.
Whether you are experiencing challenges with communication, sex, trust, or just want to give your relationship some much needed attention to ensure you are both in a good place, we want to help.
