Ask any business’ human resources expert if you should pursue a work place relationship and the answer will likely be a firm NO. That is because love in the work place often leads to nepotism, gossip, jealousy, infidelity, less productivity and more absenteeism. However it is next to impossible for some people to find the time to pursue a relationship anywhere else because they simply do not have the time to do so. Too many of us are busy working spending time at one or more jobs just to make ends meet!
Although the work place relationship is usually discouraged and sometimes ends up badly for one or both partner’s careers it has been known to work very well for some people. The workplace romance has worked particularly well for some celebrity names. For instance Will Smith first met his wife Jada when they both had roles on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt fell in love on the set of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith.” Still the unique workplace of the movie star is not quite as permissive as the workplaces of ordinary citizens.
One of the most successful and admired marriages in the United States started as a relationship in a place of business. You will recognize their unique names. Barack and Michelle Obama first met when she mentored him at a Chicago Law Firm. That workplace rendezvous resulted in a marriage in 1992.
So how can you make sure that your workplace romance leads to marriage and not the unemployment line?
First of all make sure that you do not bring your romance to your place of business. This can breed resentment among your colleagues. Whatever you do avoid emotional drama and too much physical contact in front of others at your company. It simply is not professional.
You should also avoid beginning an affair with someone who can further your business career. If the two of you break up it almost always means that someone has to look for a new job.
Also, as anyone who has watched episodes of Mad Men knows, the workplace is rife with lonely married people whose relationships are suffering because they do not spend enough time at all. Avoid the workplace infidelity above all other forms of workplace romance if you want to keep your job!
Finally, if you want to thrive at your company simply consider not mentioning your relationship to your colleagues at all. Wait until you are officially engaged before announcing to any business colleagues and out of respect for protocol make sure that you tell your boss before you tell anyone else!