Six Tips for Dating a Colleague

Recent studies have shown that more employees than ever are putting in overtime, working hard at the office from dawn until dusk to make more money and impress their superiors. Since most of our time is spent at work, it's a natural conclusion that many of us will find love at work, but it isn't always as simple as that. When you make the decision to date a colleague, you have to consider your job as well as the other employees.

Tips for Dating a Colleague: Plan Your Exit Strategy
It isn't always a good idea to think about a relationship's end before it even begins, but this doesn't apply to people you date at work. Before you jump into a relationship with a colleague, consider how you will handle the situation if things come to a screeching halt. Can you transfer somewhere else in the company? Will you both handle the situation like adults?

Tips for Dating a Colleague: Don't Date a Subordinate
It is one thing to date your professional equal, but avoid dating someone who reports to you. Not only might this cause problems in the relationship, but it also opens you up to charges of sexual harassment and playing favorites. You'll both find it difficult to do your jobs and productivity will suffer, perhaps leading to a double dose of unemployment.

Tips for Dating a Colleague: Avoid Office Communication
Most companies and corporations reserve the right to access and read all forms of office communication, including e-mail and faxes. If you need to communicate something personal to the person you're seeing, use your cellular phone or wait until office hours or over. You don't want to be caught with your pants down, so to speak.

Tips for Dating a Colleague: Leave It at Home
Whatever you do, don't bring your relationship into the office. This includes discussing your relationship with other coworkers, engaging in public displays of affection and flaunting your love in front of the rest of the office. You can let others know you're dating after the relationship is established, but even then you should behave professionally at work.

Tips for Dating a Colleague: Don't Fight at Work
Even the strongest of relationships have rocky periods during which all you want to do is fight. Even when tension is high, however, resist the urge to quarrel at work or you might be out of a job. This is especially true if your arguments get in the way of productivity.

Tips for Dating a Colleague: Prepare for a Happy Ending
You might spent so much time wondering about the potential consequences of a break-up that you never prepare yourself for things to go well. If you wind up getting married to your coworker, you'll need to check corporate policy to ensure you can continue to work together despite nepotism.