Golden Rules Of An Office Romance

Dating a co-worker is usually discouraged. The gossips and the insinuation surrounding an office romance can damage even the most promising career. However, the heart does not always listen to the head. So, what to do when you find yourself head over heels in love with an office mate or worse if he/ she is your boss? Well, you may follow your heart but make sure you take your head along.

Unless you are smart enough to manage your relationship in your workplace, it may cost you your job. At the starting stage of your relationship, you should determine whether or not your relationship has a future. In case it doesn't, then you can be assured that apart from your emotional side, your job too will suffer. Since the consequences are so strong, both partners involved should take extra precautions to minimize the impact on their professional lives.

So, here are few golden rules to follow if you are indulging in an office romance. Follow these simple rules at office and make your workplace love as positive as possible.

Make sure it's worth it: Before getting into the risk of an office affair, make sure you are serious about it. Just because the guy in the next cubicle is cute and fun to be with, does not mean that he is ideal for a long term relationship as well. Don't take the risk if you are not seeking a lifetime relationship.

Keep things professional: Once you decide on the nature of your relationship, you have to take extra measures to be professional at your work. Avoid using office mails and computers for communication. If your company knows about your romance, it is very likely that everyone will keep a close eye on both of you.

Be honest: Dating someone in your office requires even higher level of honesty than a regular affair. Decide together, who will know about your romance and who will not. Make sure you stick to your decisions or things may end up in a nasty manner.

Prepare for changes in office dynamics: You just cannot avoid the gossips at workplace after you start an affair. So, be prepared for it. There will be odd moments, especially at the beginning when people may smirk or have a hushed gossip when any of you walk into the room. Don't take it to heart. Get used to it. These gossips die with time.

Try to keep departments separate: Though love knows no bounds but it would be very beneficial to continue the romance if you pick someone from a different department in your office. Your romance is sure to have high success rate with somebody from a different department or better from a different floor if possible.

Don't be a workaholic at home: One of the most important rule is to keep your love and job apart. Don't bring work in between your relationship. Spend time together outside office and get to know each other better. Be professional at office but make sure you are the chirpy little love-birds at home.

Office romance is always an enjoyable torture. You get to see your love everyday but you have to limit yourselves with quick glances when nobody is looking. So, if you lose out, you ruin everything, but if you win, you win big time!