Dating a Co-worker

Dating a co-worker is one of the worst ideas imaginable. An office relationship will always have some negative implications no matter how much planning, secrecy, and diplomacy is involved. If the temptation is too overwhelming, here are some suggestions to minimize causalities.

Have an exit strategy. Before you begin a relationship, consider the consequences of it ending. Will you be able to handle the emotional and professional pressure of seeing this co-worker every day if things don’t work out, and can you re-establish a professional demeanor with a person?

If things do work out and you decide to tie the knot, you should be prepared for one of you to look for another job, either outside the company or within another department. Whether you can both stay in your current positions will depend on your company’s policy and the reaction of your co-workers and supervisors.

Avoid dating your subordinate. When a manager dates someone who reports directly to him or her, the relationship usually presents a genuine conflict of interest for the manager. As a supervisor, you are responsible for evaluating your employee's work and making promotion and compensation decisions. Dating someone who reports to you could cause fellow employees to accuse you of favoritism or cutting your lover too much slack.

And, while you both may get involved in a relationship consensually, if (when) the romance fades you and your company could be hit with a harassment lawsuit if the employee feels mistreated, didn’t get a desired raise or promotion or worse, is terminated.

Keep your love life to yourself. If you are going to start a relationship with a co-worker, it’s best to keep it between the two of you. Avoid any public displays of affection and discussions regarding personal matters at the office. . Also remember that most companies have strict e-mail policies, so it’s best to keep non-professional communication offline. Be totally professional in the office or around other co-workers. And if confronted by others, deny, deny, deny. It’s not lying when you refuse to be forthcoming with your personal and private matters

Don’t let your relationship affect your performance. If your romance is affecting your work, you may be asked to end your relationship or find another job. You may have to decide between your career and your companion. (Read original article.)