Dating your work colleague is always frowned upon. Understandably, it's best to separate work from romance, but what happens when you fall for someone at work? The heart wants what it wants. Fighting it will only make things worse.
Rather than being miserable because you don't want to follow your heart, it's best to understand how best to date a co-worker without losing your job.
1. Understand Your Organization’s Policy
The first tip is to understand your organization's policy regarding office romance. For some companies, office romance is a "no-go," and if that’s the case, you must tread carefully. You don't want to be fired just because of this situation.
Some companies prohibit dating because they feel co-workers won't take their jobs seriously or might jeopardize the organization's interests. Even when prohibited, some people still go ahead because they don't want to throw away love just because of where they work.
If your organization allows it, great—you just need to play your cards well. If it isn't permitted, you’re on the wrong side of the law and must be ready for the consequences if it backfires. Having this information guides your next steps.
2. Keep Your Relationship a Secret
The second tip is to keep your relationship secret. Even if your organization says it's okay for employees to date, you don't have to make an announcement. Why do you want others to know? If you announce it, you give people a chance to poke their noses into your affairs.
The fewer people who know, the better. You won't be under pressure to act a certain way. The most successful office relationships are often those kept quiet. Let it be between you and your partner. At work, focus on your tasks. You can even act like you’re nothing but co-workers.
As more people find out, it becomes difficult to treat you as colleagues, and they may bring your relationship into professional matters. If the relationship leads to marriage, they can find out then. For now, keep it "hush-hush" since there's no guarantee it will work out.
3. Prioritize Your Work
If you both want to keep your jobs, your work must come first, especially when you’re at the office. You might say your happiness should come first, but do you value that job? If the answer is yes, then you must ensure work remains the priority so you don't shoot yourself in the foot.
Don't make the mistake of putting the relationship first during office hours. You were employed for a reason: to get the job done. If you're dating a responsible person, they’ll understand that the relationship is personal business and shouldn't interfere with the work you were hired to do.
4. Respect Each Other in the Professional Space
You and your partner work in the same space. Depending on the company size, you might see each other frequently. You must conduct yourselves in a way that isn't disrespectful. For instance, if you usually flirt with other colleagues, you need to stop that completely.
Flirting with others while dating someone in the same organization is disrespectful to your partner. You owe it to them to make it clear to others that you aren't available. If you behave in ways your partner finds disrespectful, it will affect their happiness and performance.
If you truly love them, their inability to perform will eventually affect you, too. Before you do anything, ask yourself: "How will this make my partner feel?" If you’re selfish, both your relationship and your job will be on the line.
5. Draw a Line Between Home and Office
Finally, don't bring work home and vice versa. At work, focus on your tasks. When you are at home—especially if you live together, it isn't the time to talk about work constantly. You spend hours at the office together; when you’re out, talk about other things.
Try not to take assignments home so you can focus on your partner. Simultaneously, the office isn't the place to be "lovey-dovey." You need to be able to draw that line. Being a professional at work and a couple at home allows you to perform well and nurture the relationship without the two clashing.
Finding love in the workplace can be interesting because you learn more about your partner than you ordinarily would. To recap, you must understand company policy, keep the relationship secret, prioritize your tasks, respect each other, and separate your home life from your work life.
Treating your partner as a co-worker in the office prevents professional jealousy and keeps you looking professional.