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If you’ve never heard the phrase, “Don’t dip your pen in the company ink”, then now is probably a good time to learn it since it refers to situations that involve mixing business and pleasure, namely forming an intimate relationship with a co-worker. While some people are able to keep their business and personal lives completely separate and carry on fulfilling relationships outside the office with no one the wiser, it is much more common for weirdness to build, office gossip to spread, and either the job or the relationship (or both) to suffer. So proceed with an office romance (or friendships) at your own risk, but at least be aware of some of the possible repercussions of your actions.
- Sexual harassment charges. You’ve seen the video (you probably laughed at the ridiculously obvious scenarios just like everyone else), but apparently you didn’t get the message. Hell hath no fury like a co-worker scorned, and any improprieties can lead to a complaint filed against you, or even a lawsuit. So if you feel like the colleague you’ve been seeing may be reading more into your relationship, it’s probably better to keep it to business as usual to avoid any misunderstandings or hurt feelings.
- Performance issues. Getting a little flirty at the copy machine is one thing, but making moon-eyes over your cubicle at the cute new secretary (at the expense of your work) is another. You are paid by the company to do a job, so do it already. If you’re keen to ogle your co-workers, at least wait until you’re off the premises.
- Blurred boundaries. Fraternizing with your peers away from the office can be fun (jobs are one of the few ways that adults get to meet new people), but if the good times leak over into the day job, you’re bound to get in some trouble. So don’t stay up all night partying with the PR guys only to show up for work the next day hung over. And try not to discuss office business in a personal manner (for example, sharing salaries) as it may lead to hurt feelings or lost jobs later on.
- Harmful gossip. No matter how careful you think you’re being, it generally isn’t too hard to figure out who is doing what with whom in an office setting (even if you don’t let it slip, you’re bound to get caught kissing in the supply closet or exchanging meaningful glances over your morning cups of coffee). And once rumors get started, they’re hard to squelch. So if you’re going to date a co-worker, you may want to give your boss a head’s up before he hears it through the grapevine and gets the wrong idea.
Don't get spanked at your job.
- Potential dismissal. Relationships between co-workers are almost always frowned upon, and in many cases they are grounds for firing (mainly because of the allegations of impropriety within the company, especially if one member of the offending party is considered a superior to the other). Most corporations prefer to cut their losses and avoid lawsuits whenever possible, so if your company policy states that interoffice relationships are grounds for dismissal, you may want to seriously consider your priorities.
Sarah Neilson is a writer for Online MBA where you can browse the top MBA programs.
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