Dealing with Attraction and Intimacy at Work

It is naïve to think that in the workplace where many attractive, intelligent people who work in close proximity for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 12 months a year will never, ever become attracted to one another or become romantically involved. The problem comes in when office romances threatens to impair your work performance or cause such a stir at the office that you and your new beau or the subject of the water cooler gossip or sly, condeming stares. This is why it’s important for you to find out what your organization’s policies and norms are around this issue so that if you are contemplating dating someone at the office, you can think through the pros and cons.

Before you hook up with that cute co-worker, keep these tips in mind.

1. Sex and romance do not belong in the office, so keep your private affairs private.

2. Don’t get involved in other people’s romances unless you are a supervisor addressing inappropriate workplace conduct that is negatively impacting on an employee’s work performance or the work environment.

3. While more and more people are finding love in the workplace, always remember that if things do not work out, it can be extremely uncomfortable for both of you. And if the break-up was bitter, you may have a difficult time keeping things professional. So make sure that you can handle the downside of a relationship gone awry.

4. No matter how attracted you are to someone, keep sexual innuendos and inappropriate jokes out of the office. They could lead to sexual harassment allegations.

5. Sexual harassment is defined as “unwelcome” sexual advances, requests and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Harassment takes many forms so if you’re 100% not sure whether or not the person you’ve got your eye on feels the same way, the safest bet is not to cross the line at all.

While there are many who have found their soulmates at the office and are now happily married, there are also many who have had to face the downside of things and as a result are forced to endure being the subject of office gossip, they’ve had to change departments, or dust their resumes off and look for a new job all together. So the next time you think about asking that cute guy or girl out for a cup of coffee or an after work meal, make sure to think things through carefully.

by Cassandra Mack

~ by Ng Zhi Wei on April 13, 2008.