People
Issue No. 15 - February/March 2004
Love at Work?
Etiquette of Workplace Liaisons
by Judy Lovell
Statistics show that about half of us have had a relationship with a colleague at some time or other and that a further 20% wouldn’t rule it out in future. Even those of us who wouldn’t choose to date a colleague admit to indulging in some harmless flirting from time to time!
We get close to our colleagues and often they become good friends—hardly suprising really, when you consider that we often have a great deal in common with them. We have, after all, chosen to work in the same industry. Often we spend more time with them than with our own family or partner.
Even if you find yourself starting something beautiful, it pays to remember that you’re going to be conducting your relationship under the scrutiny of your closest colleagues. And my view is that while the office party may well be the place to develop a new relationship, it is best to leave the one—night stands well alone.
If you are having a hard time making an office love connection, maybe you’re in the wrong industry. When asked which industry has the highest incidence of office romance, respondents to a recent Vault.com survey overwhelmingly nominated:
- Media & entertainment
- Marketing/communications
- Law
- Consulting
The up side of office romance
- It can be a slow—burn relationship — from colleague, through friendship to lover — often the nicest way to go.
- There’s always someone to have lunch or a drink with after work.
- You’ve got lots to talk about and plenty in common.
- You already know a bit about him/her before you start dating.
- You can share your work journey.
- You’ve got a date for the office party.
- The petty nuances of work politics won’t seem petty to someone who shares the same environment.
- You could have great sex in the office after hours!
- You know where he/she is the most of the time, which helps with ‘insecurities’.
The down side
