With Valentine’s Day tomorrow I thought it would be fun to post some 
helpful tips on romance in the workplace. According to a 2005 Vault Survey, 58% of employees say they’ve been involved in an office romance. The survey also shows that 39% of companies do not have a written policy about dating that "hottie" in the cubicle next door. Maybe you’ve been thinking about the way he strokes the keys as he enters the latest revenue reports or the sweet texture of her voice every time she picks up the phone and says, "Hello, ACME accounting."
Should you follow your heart and email her a romantic poem? Should you fax him that portrait you sketched of him while you should have been planning for the next fiscal year?
I believe office romances can be a great experience if they are handled carefully. Here are a couple of pointers for handling your romantic feelings in the workplace:
- Avoid Mixing Business and Pleasure–Save romancing for breaks or
after hours so that your boss or company doesn’t see the relationship as a threat. Next time you come up with a cute nickname or romantic thought to share with your sweetheart during the workday, write it down in a notebook and save it for later. - Be Aware of Your Company’s "Love Policies"-Remember how quickly your dream romance can turn into a nightmare harassment case. Be aware of company policy as well as legal issues, and act appropriately
- Keep the Cuddling Out of the Copy Room-While total secrecy is
difficult to impossible, make sure you respect those around you. People are rarely interested in watching their co-workers snuggle in the break room or fight between cubicles. They will be much more likely to respect your relationship if you show discretion in how you behave around them.
Offices are often the easiest places to meet and fall in love. You work together every day and spend a lot of time on projects and planning. The important thing is to stay professional and keep romance in its place. If you handle it carefully, you never know, you might end up being one of the 22% of office romances that lead to marriage!
