Some say they're a terrible idea people might gossip, or things can get awkward at work if the relationship goes sour β while others believe they make perfect sense you're with these people eight hours a day, and you know you have at least one thing in common.
But what's the real deal with interoffice dating? Right," says Taylor. But since about one-third of human life is spent working, it's not unreasonable that romances occur in the office, she adds. But the fact of the matter is: Nobody knows when true love will strike. Certainly there are endless cases of coworkers who have found love in the workplace and moved on to marry and live happily ever after.
Ultimately, she says, the success of this path will depend on you, your partner, boss, workplace, and many other variables. And it's up to you to decide whether the pros outweigh the cons β or if you're better off steering clear of an office romance.
If your boss who happens to be your partner takes you to lunch or promotes you, people will claim it's based on favoritism β not merit. And it's also a problem if you deserve to be promoted but your significant other doesn't offer you the position because they fear people will think it's an act of favoritism. Some firms make a conscious choice not to incorporate them into their general "sexual harassment" policy. That must always prevail. Keeping your distance in another department, floor, or building will help keep things less awkward, messy, and challenging.
Do you have a lot in common? It could happen that spending time in a romantic relationship that began at work will bring you closer together because you share a common interest and can be a sounding board for each other. Only you can weigh whether you see more overall upside potential than downside," Taylor says.
