If you’ve ever had a crush on a coworker, you’re familiar with the fantasy: Eyeing each other in meetings leads to … lingering near each other’s desks, followed by … steamy makeouts in the supply closet, then … off-the-charts nights at the company retreat.
But if you’re gonna go for it, make sure you take a no-regrets approach and don’t hurt your career in the process. Here are some love-at-work ground rules.
1. Weigh All the Obstacles
Review your employer’s policy handbook, says Rosemary Haefner, chief human resources officer at CareerBuilder. If any kind of office romance is off-limits and you’re not willing to jeopardize your job (or resort to finding a new one), stick with pure fantasy. But you can go for it if you’re within the bounds of company policy or there’s nothing in writing. Just be aware that should things turn sour, your reputation or future promotions could be affected.
2. Avoid PDA at all Costs
Keep your hookups private, after-hours, and out of the office (the break room is for coffee, not cunnilingus). The buildup of sexual tension will be totally worth it when you finally find a safe, secluded locale.
3. Coordinate Your Exits
Colleagues may get suspicious if you show up and leave together at the same time every day, says Haefner. Space out your arrivals and departures by at least five minutes.
4. Go Dark on Social Media
If you both take a few days off for a trip (let it be noted: that’s a potentially dangerous move) and someone asks where you’re going, say you’re vacationing with a friend. Once there, beware of posting pics or status updates — especially if your workplace is gossipy.
5. Be Honest When It’s Time
A general rule of thumb is to wait three months before disclosing you’re dating a coworker. Tell your supervisor, says Haefner. After that, if your coworkers ask about it, you can downplay it (“Yeah, we’re seeing each other”), but don’t outright deny it unless you’re looking for drama.
Source: Cosmopolitan.com
