Rules of Office Romance: Keeping it 100% Professional

Have you ever felt a love thing for your colleague but didn't know what to do or how to act? Well this post is for you.

Love happens, even within the four walls of an organization. Many relationships and marriages started out in the office, so hey! you're not alone. However, if you are going to consummate a relationship with a coworker, there are some rules you would have to play by so you don't hurt your career.


RULE 1
Affairs  Relationship: Call it an affair, fling, situationship or the likes but by all means do not have an affair with your colleague. Affairs are messy, ingenuine and they also raise questions about your integrity. If you're going to have anything other than a professional relationship with your colleague, please make sure it is a genuine and exclusive relationship between two consenting adults.

RULE 2
What does your organization's policy say about relationships between colleagues? Be sure to make your findings about this as some organizations frown on relationships within the organization. Some however require one partner moves to another unit or location. After making your findings, have a chat with your SO so you both understand consequences and actions to be taken upon agreeing to start a relationship

RULE 3
Get the Word Out: I'm sure you do not want another female colleague making passes at your man reason being that no one knows you both are an item. This is not to say you should go around telling everybody but tell a few key people (most importantly, your boss) and the news will spread itself. Also, when asked about your relationship, do not deny or brush it off.

RULE 4
No Office PDAs (Public Display of Affection): So now everyone knows you both are an item, that doesn't give you the license to go beyond the professional boundaries within the confines of the office. You should not be seen being less than professional with each other.

RULE 5
Don't mix work and emotions: Difficult as it may seem, you cannot afford to let your emotions interfere with your work. If you both have a misunderstanding, you can settle it outside of work but by all means do not let it come to bear on your work. If you both are supposed to work on a project together, do not stall the project because of personal issues. Carry on with each other professionally as expected.

RULE 6
Don't use your relationship as an excuse to avoid work: Don't spend too much time in the lunch room with your SO or in the office corridors talking and having a good time while work waits to be done. Remember you have him to yourself after work hours.

BONUS RULE
While we all go into relationships with hopes that they will last forever, breakups do happen. Few things are as painful as having to work with someone you just broke up with. However, this is what you invariably signed up for when you both agreed to start a relationship. Do not let the breakup spiral into a bitter work environment in which people are forced to take sides. Be a good sport about it and go about your work like nothing happened.

Cheers to a Fabulous Friday!

- Love Truly, Molz

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