Global News just interviewed me about dating co-workers. Here's a link to the video: http://globalnews.ca/news/1825385/a-third-of-canadians-have-dated-a-co-worker-says-survey/
Dating a Coworker: Is it a good idea?
An office romance can be exciting. It can also be career suicide. Nevertheless, attractions can be strong, and sometimes things do work out. Here are some things to keep in mind if you are considering dating a coworker.
How big is your company?
The larger your company, the easier it is to avoid actually working together. That’s good, because you don’t want to be in a reporting relationship. Relationships where one reports to the other are generally against company guidelines. Also, the bigger the company, the easier it is to be discreet.
In very small companies, everyone tends to know everything. That means everyone will know about your relationship ups and downs, almost before you do. And if you are caught touching or being even more intimate... well, that will get around pretty quickly, and maybe to the HR department.
Also, the smaller the office, the harder it is to avoid each other right after a breakup, which is when one or both of you will be in pain and won't want to see the other.
How good are you at relationships with exes?
If you break up with this person, you will have an ex you see every day at the office. How is that going to feel? Have you been able to adjust to being just friends or acquaintances with an ex in the past? What about the other person?
Try to find out how friendly this person is with other exes. If they talk about everyone they ever dated in the past in derogatory terms and boast about “kicking them to the curb”, be careful. That could be you they are talking about soon – and you they are badmouthing around the office.
Maturity and position matter.
How old is the person you are interested in? How mature are they? If there is a big age difference or one where one person is on a much higher level than the other, your relationship could look like one is taking advantage of the other. Not the best message to send in an office environment. Also, emotional maturity is a factor, for reasons we just covered (how discreet people will be and how civil people are to exes, for example).
Want to discuss your specific situation? Call me now at 416 406-5147 and we can set up a time to chat about your workplace relationship.
