Many people meet their partner at work and go on to create life-long happy relationships, yet everybody knows that office romances can be frowned upon. But did you know that 58% of employees were found to have engaged in a romantic relationship with a colleague at some point in their careers?
A recent survey from leaflet and flyer printing company instantprint revealed that 43% of Brits believe office break-ups create a bad atmosphere, while 37% say workplace dating is ‘insensitive’ to those who are single and makes colleagues feel ‘very uncomfortable’.
So how do we navigate these difficult waters in a professional manner? Let’s explore the pros and cons of a workplace relationship.
The Pros
– It’s easy to get to know someone organically in your place of work. Spending large amounts of time together daily often brings people closer together and allows you to get to know one another much more quickly and authentically.
– You usually find you have lots in common with one another. You can discuss everything going on at work in detail, which you probably just skate over with anyone else. This creates a stronger sense of connection, as you feel truly understood by your partner who also encounters these same work-related issues.
-It suddenly makes coming into work more exciting. You look forward to seeing your significant other every day. If you’re having a stressful day, they’re on hand to comfort and support you. You may even work alongside one another on projects. Suddenly, work becomes multi-dimensional in ways it never was before.
The Cons
– You could be putting your job at risk. If your company has a policy against workplace relationships, you may find yourself sneaking around and subsequently lying to co-workers. If the truth slips out, not only could your career be in jeopardy, but you could also lose friendships along the way due to broken trust.
– It can create a hostile working environment if you break up. This goes for everyone in the office. Many people end up resigning from their job due to feeling awkward and uncomfortable after a workplace split. It can even bring conflict into the workplace if things don’t end on great terms.
– It could damage your professional reputation. A recent survey revealed that 4% of people have lost their job due to a workplace relationship. Even those who manage to retain their jobs are often left feeling humiliated when their professional integrity is questioned due to an office romance. When one of you is more senior than the other, co-workers may convince themselves that such connections could unfairly influence work decisions like promotions and pay rises.
Ultimately the decision lies with the individuals. We hope the above helps you weigh up whether engaging in an office romance is really worth it in the long run.