Business etiquette: office dating

Is it appropriate to date someone with whom you work?

Since we spend most of our time at our places of employment, it seems only logical we d meet that special someone there as well. Even though almost every single person has thought about office dating, not everyone will go through with it. Is it a good idea? Why is it considered taboo? Hopefully, this article can help you to explore this scenario and allow you to make some informed decisions.



If you re thinking of dating someone with whom you work, you may want to ask yourself the following questions first:



What is my company s policy regarding office dating? Many businesses have policies in place against this type of dating because it is distracting and has been known to cause production to go down. In fact, dating someone from work could be grounds for dismissal. Is the other person someone you like enough to risk this?

If you decide to keep it a secret, can the other person be counted on not to tell anyone? Office gossip gets around and if you re secretly dating someone, or even doing it in the open, you can and will be talked about. There are other reasons businesses don t approve of office dating. In addition to lower productivity and office gossip, many couples who are dating take vacation and sick time together. This can be difficult if both work with the same department or team.


What happens if it turns into a relationship? You ll have to figure out if you can work with someone you see socially on a regular basis. It may affect your business relationship as well. If either of you are in a position of authority, you may even be accused of favoritism. If you have an argument, this can also affect your business relationship.


What happens if you break up? The last thing you need is animosity in the work place. If it s not an amicable break up, it can lead to negative gossip and bad mouthing. It has also led to sabotage in some instances.


Will you be able to leave office matters at the office? Do you want business to be a constant topic of discussion when you re not at work? If this is your only common ground, you may want to reconsider.


Does the other person like you as well, or will she view your advances as sexual harassment? This has been known to happen and is a major consideration.


When dating someone in the office, you really have to consider the above scenarios. If you ve already made the decision, and there s no policy in place, or you re dating in secret, the following tips regarding office dating etiquette may be useful.



1. Be discreet. Even if everyone knows about your relationship, the office is not the place to flaunt it. Public displays of affection are not only inappropriate; they re also in bad taste.
2. Don t discuss personal details. Everyone gossips, even those you feel you can trust. If you re going to be sharing details with anyone, be prepared to have them become fodder for office cooler chit chat.

3. Don t let your present situation affect your work. Don t spend hours sending flirtatious interoffice emails or make continuous phone calls to your significant other. Don t let arguments affect your work. If you re not speaking to your partner, let this affect only your personal life. Don t hold back on disclosing work related issues because you ve had a spat.
4. Unless you re not on the same team or in the same department, don t take vacation and sick time together or try to keep it to a minimum. Don t show up late on the same days or leave early together. This isn t fair to others.


5. Don t show preferential treatment. Nothing is worse than having a raise or promotion go to an undeserving person, while the person for whom the credit is really due sits on the back burner. Never show favoritism.



When it comes to office dating, the most important thing, above all else, is to be professional. First, consider the repercussions. If the dating leads to a serious relationship, one of you may even want to consider finding another place of employment. Don t discuss or flaunt your relationship, and don t let it affect your work. If handled properly, there s no reason for an office romance not to work out for all parties concerned.