How to Avoid Workplace Dating

When it comes to dating there are right places to look for your ideal mate and wrong places. I happen to feel that the office is the wrong place. Many people chose to avoid workplace dating for numerous career or personal reasons I happen to be one of those people. Whatever your reason may be there are right ways and wrong ways to avoid this career pitfall. I've compiled a list of simple steps to avoid dating in the work place.

Step One:

Always know company policy when it comes to interoffice relationships. Some companies forbid it all together, while others do not. Instead those companies require that you disclose your relationship status to your boss. If you know the policy of your work place, and let the asker know the policy as well they may be discouraged from asking you again.

Step Two:

Never give an excuse as to why you are declining the date. A simple and firm "no thank you" or "I'm sorry, but no." is all you need to say. It's been my experience that when you give an excuse the person either has an immediate response to why the excuse doesn't apply, or they come back with an argument later.

Step Three:

This is the most important step to avoid the uncomfortable question "Would you like to go to dinner with me?" Always stay professional, its okay to talk to your coworkers, but never cross the line into what maybe considered flirting. As soon as you open that door you are asking for trouble.

Step Four:

The easiest way to not feel compelled to go out with a coworker is to develop your own life outside of the office. If you stay busy with your own interests and activities with separate friends you most likely won't feel the urge to see people from work.

Step Five:

I hope for everyone's sake that it never comes to this, but if the person you politely turned down keeps harassing you do not be afraid to report him or her. Always promptly report any activity that makes you uncomfortable at work to the proper person to get it taken care of. If you chose not to report it then you are leaving the door open for even more uncomfortable situations to occur. The more you let the flirting continue, the more the other party or parties will feel you are interested.