Uganda Jobline

Today, many young professional men and women are spending more time at the office than anywhere else. That leaves little time outside of work to meet new people, so it’s only natural that many seek friendship and companionship from colleagues. In fact, recent surveys indicate that more than half of employees have had a romantic relationship with a co-worker. But sometimes being fellow co-workers can be difficult when you are also bedfellows. Most companies frown on office romances, though few actually have written policies against them. Company policies may be specific to family members within the workplace, but until you marry, these rules don’t normally apply.

If you love your job and one of your co-workers, here are some suggestions for successfully managing both your work life and your love life.

1. 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? Once you let down your guard in an intimate relationship, it may difficult to re-establish a professional demeanor with a person. You should also consider what your amour might say about you if things sour.

2. Avoid dating your subordinate.

This is a clear recipe for disaster. 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.

3. 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. While any secret is hard to keep, it’s best to wait a month or so before you share your romantic news with others in the workplace. This will give you a chance to see if the relationship is likely to last past the initial lust and may save face if passions fizzle after the first few weeks.

4. Avoid public displays of affection.

While you may be completely comfortable with your relationship, outward signs of affection, such handholding, caresses or even flirting can make others uncomfortable. If you struggle to keep your hands off your partner, meet off-site for lunch or save the kissy-face for after hours.

5. Don’t get caught with your pants down.
Whatever you do, don’t do it in the office, in the janitor’s closet or in the company parking garage. Even if you think you are alone or the office is deserted, it probably isn’t. If you want to be successful, it’s important to maintain a professional image. No one wants to have a disrobed vision of you and your co-worker wrapped up like a pretzel in the board room!

6. Avoid electronic love letters.

Most companies have strict e-mail policies, so it’s best to keep steamy communication offline. Some companies prohibit the use of company e-mail systems for personal purposes. Others reserve the right to access or disclose electronic messages or files of an employee with good cause, such as suspected employee wrongdoing or concerns of sexually explicit or pornographic content.

7. Keep your love quarrels at home.

As with any relationship, whether with a co-worker or someone outside the office, it’s best not to bring your arguments to work. Workplace conflicts are difficult enough when two colleagues don’t get along. Adding the emotions and tensions of a personal relationship to the mix can create significant upheaval within a department. Settle or deal with disagreements after work hours.

8. 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.

9. Be ready to move.

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.