| |
The last thing you want when you're falling head over heels
is to damage your own or your love interest's reputations and
careers. That's why it's best to approach an office relationship
with the goal of staying professional and productive and with a sense
of respect for coworkers and your company's rules. Here are
a few tips that can help you navigate the sometimes dangerous shoals
of an office romance:
- Don't sexually harass. Although you
may be interested in a coworker, she may not return the feelings.
So be careful that your comments can not be construed as sexual
harassment.
- Even if some flirtation is welcome, keep it clean. There are
others in the office who could overhear and take offense at any
racy banter.
- Be aware of and abide by any ethics, conduct or business codes,
both written and unwritten, that could have an impact on your relationship.
- Be as private and discreet as you can, but also be aware that
the extra sparkle in your eyes and warmth in your voice could give
you away. Some employees seem to have special antennae for this
sort of thing.
- Stay professional. Don't have a lot of unnecessary meetings
or make excuses to go into each other's offices or hang around
each other's desks. You come to work every day to work, not
flirt.
- Do NOT use your e-mails for love notes or
anything else really personal between yourself and your paramour.
This is a real bug-a-boo. Many companies monitor their employees' e-mails for one business
reason or another. Once you send an e-mail message out, there's
no guarantee that several other parties won't see it. That
could prove embarrassing to everyone — especially you.
- Don't gossip about your relationship at work. It's
bound to get around. So save it for friends or family outside of
work.
- The two of you should probably discuss the impact your relationship
could have on your jobs and decide what steps one or both of you
need to take to comply with any company rules.
|
|
