Quiz: Should I Mix Profession with Pleasure?

Love can show up where you least expect it. You can meet people at the gym, in the grocery store, at church, and nowadays online! Everyone, regardless of gender or culture wants to be loved at the end of the day and conversations about relationships never go out of style. I am finding that as I get older, my views of dating have somewhat changed. I no longer view a date as an interview to find out if he's worth marrying or what his short and long-term goals are. Instead, I focus on having a pleasant experience and entertaining the possibilities that lie ahead, which could simply result in friendship. However, one thing that hasn't changed for me is the decision to date someone that I work with. There are people who have found love in the workplace and have lived happily ever after. My golden rule on this topic is to keep my pen out of the company ink. I really wouldn't want to have the pleasure of discussing my relationship with management, HR, or anyone else at work. I view my love life as private and personal, which just doesn't seem to mix with professional, but that's just me. The potential negative career impacts of a relationship gone wrong can be devastating both personally and professionally. So far, I haven't been willing to take that risk. The question is, are you ready to take big leap of faith to find love, even if it is at work? Your answers to the following questions can help you determine whether or not you're ready to find love at work.

1. Are you willing to be discreet about your office romance, even if it doesn't work out the way you expect it to?

2. Does having a workplace relationship enhance your job performance?

3. Are you mature enough to handle rumors, negative comments, and others who may be interested in your mate in a professional manner without exposing your relationship?

4. Are you knowledgeable about company policies pertaining to workplace relationships?

5. Are you aware of the benefits as well as the consequences of being involved romantically with a colleague?

If you've answered "no" to any of the above questions, then you may not be ready to date someone who works for the same organization as you. Employers expect mature, professionals to produce strong business results and positively impact the company. Love for most of us, changes who we are, how we act, and it also makes us vulnerable. Those changes along with being vulnerable can oftentimes make us or break us. So, if you've answered "yes" to all of the above questions, you could indeed be ready for love in the workplace. Recent studies have shown that more people are finding love at work and as I stated at the beginning of this article, love can show up where you least expect it.

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