The Ins and Outs of Dating a Coworker

The Ins and Outs of Dating a Coworker

By John Bemis On February 18, 2017 · In

Updated: November 15, 2022

It’s February and love is in the air. Office decorations are going up, Valentine memes are flooding your social feeds and everyone’s asking what you’ll be doing on February 14. For many, this annual love fest means celebrating with your significant other or hanging with your unattached friends. But it can be a tricky minefield for those who are dating a coworker, especially if you’re in a consulting or long-term contract role.

Fear not! We’ve scoured the internet to come up with the most valuable tips regarding workplace romance, and offer them here with our best wishes for a smooth and happy Valentine’s Day:

Follow your company’s policy on Dating a Co-Worker

First and foremost, make sure you know your company’s policy. You especially need to be aware if this policy requires you to come forward with your relationship. The last thing you want is for a love interest to have a negative impact on your position.

Ask yourself which you’d regret losing more—the job or the relationship opportunity?

This can be a tough choice amid all the butterflies and excitement of a budding romance, but it’s worth some serious evaluation. Are you on the fast track and loving every minute of it? Will this relationship become a major distraction? What’s the potential fallout to your reputation or career trajectory?

Do set rules from the beginning

If after you’ve asked yourself these questions and mutually decided it’s “game on” then make sure you have a discussion from the outset about how you’ll conduct yourselves, and how you’ll handle the situation if the relationship falls apart. Setting these expectations at the beginning can minimize any major embarrassment and gossip should the relationship end.

Be Discreet

This means both in and outside the workplace. Don’t post info or photos on your social media feeds. Don’t display each other’s photos on your desks, and definitely limit all PDA, both in the office and social work events.

Cupid has a long history of slinging arrows at the most inconvenient times and places. Hopefully these tips will help you regardless of which way your workplace romance plays out. Happy Valentine’s Day!

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