Since we spend the majority of our week at work, it’s not surprising that over half of us admit to having dated a co-worker*.
Whilst we may want to push some of our colleagues off a cliff, others set our pulse racing every time they walk past our desk and sometimes relationships develop under the most unusual circumstances.
If you have ever wondered what happens when a boss dates their PA, then you should watch the upcoming comedy THE PROPOSAL out on 22 July. However, if you are only in the process of weighing up pros and cons, then read on…
PROS
So there is a new intern in the marketing department and the place you spend most of your time has become so much more exciting! What shall I wear to work? How do I engineer sitting next to him/her at after-work drinks down the pub? A day that used to be filled with drudgery is suddenly full of new opportunities to flirt! And how better to flirt than over email? Just be careful you don’t press “Forward” by mistake! With two-thirds of office romances becoming long-term relationships…he or she may well turn out to be ‘THE ONE’!**
The idea is that you hopefully get to know the person you are about to embark on a relationship with a little bit better and over a longer period of time. They may have a ‘unique’ sense of style, but they might still be thoughtful, funny and kind. Or they might present themselves immaculately but have a vicious temper. Although that doesn’t seem to stop Andrew (RYAN REYNOLDS) who somehow ends up engaged to his very demanding boss Margaret (SANDRA BULLOCK), leading to a world of trouble, which leads us onto the…
…CONS
Do try to avoid dating your boss, especially if they blackmail you into it. If things go wrong, you might have to worry about losing your job, and if you’re great at your job, everyone will think you got that promotion due to your extra-curricular activities! Ditto with dating your assistant… what do you say when they forget your favourite coffee in the morning, or worse… forget to book you into that 4* Michelin restaurant that Madonna dines in?
Equally, be careful not to become the source of office gossip or a file on the immigration officer’s desk. Make sure that you are professional and discreet at all times, until you feel your relationship is solid enough to go public with. Whilst 67% of you approve of dating at the office, 81% of HR professionals consider work romances dangerous due to the opportunity for direct conflict in the workplace**. Don’t rush into anything more serious – you might raise questions, not only amongst your co-workers, but also among friends and family. Spontaneous trips and marriage announcements are not always well received by faint-hearted 90 year-old grandmothers.
So now you are equipped with the basic pros and cons of an office romance; however, there is much more to it and if you are left intrigued, why not check out THE PROPOSAL in cinemas near you out on 22 July.
*Source: according to CareerBuilder.com surveys conducted annually for the last three years.
** Source: American Management Association survey, 2003
