Eight reasons office romances do not work

If you are attracted to someone you work with and you act on those feelings, you are setting yourself up for a bad situation.{{more}} The stakes are just too high. The romance is never just between the two parties where the workplace is concerned. The entire workplace is involved as they often witness the affection and the arguments.

1. In the beginning, the relationship presents a false sense of happiness, excitement and even possible career advancement if a boss is involved. In reality, the majority of workplace romances are often short-lived, empty, and with negative effects on your future career.

2. Romantic involvement often leads to favoritism in assignments, promotions, and schedules, especially when a supervisor and a subordinate are involved. This behavior adds fuel to the fire of low morale among other employees and encourages low productivity and anger in the workplace.

3. It’s hard for some workplace lovers to keep their hands to themselves, and many find it exciting to steal a few romantic exchanges when they think no one is looking. This behavior, of course, is unprofessional, and you become a spectacle and an annoyance for your co-workers who are forced to see this behavior.

4. Unfortunately, when workplace relationships go sour, the fallout can be devastating. Your employment is jeopardized and it becomes impossible to work with someone you no longer like.

5. Even though you may remain employed, your reputation in the organization becomes tarnished as you’re now the butt of many jokes and juicy material for the gossip circles.

6. It’s not unheard of for families to be destroyed in the process as some workplace romances occur between people who are already committed to other people or even married with children.

7. If you truly value your career and your partner, then consider limiting your interaction to outside the workplace. The rule of thumb is dating on the job is never a good idea, so avoid it.

8. Strive to be respected always for your contribution to the company, enthusiasm for the job, the skills and talents you possess, and your ability to bring out the best in others as it pertains to their job. These are the selling points that will ultimately yield a career that is productive and long lasting.

Karen Hinds is “The Workplace Success Expert.” For a FREE SPECIAL REPORT on Avoiding Career Killers in the Workplace, send an email to info@workplacesuccess.com

Visit online at www.workplacesuccess.com