Dating someone at work adviceDating someone at work can be tricky. You want to make sure you don’t end up getting too close to someone you work with, but you also don’t want to miss out on a potential relationship.There are pros and cons to dating someone at work. On one hand, you may have a lot in common with someone you work with. You may also get to spend a lot of time together if you work in the same department. On the other hand, dating someone at work can be difficult to balance with your work life.If you’re considering dating someone at work, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Check out the pros and cons of dating someone at work below.
It can be easier to find common interests and a natural connection if you are working side by side
Working with someone who is new to your company can help you learn more about each other. You might learn that you both share a love for hiking or a favorite hobby, and you could make an effort to try something new together. Working with someone who is new to your company can also help you feel less overwhelmed and more comfortable, especially if you are new to the job yourself.
A shared passion can help you develop a strong connection
A shared passion can help you develop a strong connection with coworkers. If you both enjoy baking and love trying new recipes, it will be easy for you to talk about your latest baking endeavors and find a new hobby that you both enjoy. This can help you get to know each other better as the weeks go by.
Look for common interests
The most obvious way to find a connection is by looking at the common interests you have with your coworkers. Whether you love food, fitness, travel, or music, there is bound to be someone on the team that shares your interests. You can even ask your coworkers out on a date based on the activities you love to do together. But remember that you shouldn’t let work be your only outlet for fun. Your coworkers aren’t your sole form of entertainment, so don’t take your coworkers’ hobbies and interests as a reason to spend all your time together.
The more you know about what your co-workers are all about, the easier it will be to find common ground
Have you ever gone on a blind date with a co-worker and wondered why the date didn’t work? You probably already knew quite a bit about your date before you even set up the date and in turn you knew a lot about your coworkers. This is especially important in a work environment. Knowing something about your co-workers can help you decide if you might like to ask them out on a date or work with them on a project. It can also help you determine if you have similar interests or if you would be compatible.
You might be able to avoid the awkwardness of striking up a conversation with coworkers if it’s a natural fit
If you work directly with someone, you’ll have more opportunities to chat and get to know each other. You might not have a need to chat with everyone in the office so much, since you’re spending time with the people who work with you most often. Of course, you can still chat with anyone who seems like a fit for you, but you won’t have to worry about making small talk and striking up conversations with coworkers you don’t really like or have much in common with.
Look for common interests
It might be easier for you to get comfortable around someone at work if you share some interests. For example, if you love to travel you might find it less intimidating to talk to a coworker who shares your passion. If you enjoy baking and want to learn more about the other food-related duties in your office, you might be able to connect with a fellow foodie.
Talk about your previous experiences
If the person you’re attracted to is someone you’ve worked with in the past, talk about your previous experience working with them. Chances are you have a more intimate relationship with them outside of the office, so there’s a better chance of getting comfortable with them in a professional setting.
Ask about their plans for the future
You can’t make assumptions about someone’s relationship status based on where they are in their career or whether or not they have a family. This is especially true if they’re still in school or a new graduate. If you want to know how someone feels about a potential relationship, ask if they have any plans for the future. It’s not a question that many people are asked on a first date, so take the opportunity to show how thoughtful and considerate you can be.
Bring up your previous work
Speaking of your previous work experience, mention it if it’s a specialized skill that you’ve developed. If you’ve worked on a high-profile project for your company, then share a little bit about it. This can make your coworkers more comfortable around you and might even spark an interest in working together.
Your professional relationship might make you think twice about asking someone out
For one, if you’re in a relationship, it can be a challenge to manage your work and personal lives. There are times when it’s not easy to choose between work and a date, which can cause frustration between you and your partner. However, if you’re single, you can work with your boss to find a way to balance your work and personal lives. Plus, it will be easier to focus on your relationship when you’re not constantly thinking about work.
You know you can trust them
If you’ve worked with someone for a long time, it’s easy to feel comfortable around them. You can let your guard down, knowing that they won’t judge or make assumptions about you just because you’re in a relationship. You can ask them about their personal life and feel comfortable to confide in them. When you’re dating someone at work, it’s easy to feel like you can ask them anything, but you might not want to. You might not want to ask them out or discuss your relationship with your coworkers for fear of feeling like you’re putting them in an awkward position.
You can ask them for help
If you like someone at work, asking them out in the context of a romantic relationship might be the perfect way for you to show your interest. If you’re struggling with a project, it might help to get a little more guidance from them. If you’re looking for a new job, you might want to get to know this person better to help you make the right choice.
You’re comfortable in their space
Maybe you like to stay at work late because it gives you more time to plan your projects and meet with clients. Or maybe you enjoy the convenience of working from home so you can spend more time with your kids when they get home from school. Whatever your reason for working close to the people you work with, it can be easy to feel relaxed and comfortable, especially when you’re at work all day.
You don’t need to worry about how to pay for things
In a romantic relationship, money can be a stressful topic. If you’re having to divide up the check every time you go out, or you’re wondering if you can afford to get your partner something special, it can put a damper on the mood. If you’re with coworkers, on the other hand, you can trust that you won’t have to worry about that. When you’re with coworkers, you don’t have to think about money, and neither of you will feel obligated to put money into your relationship. You can both just focus on the fun stuff.
You can relax and have fun
Not only will you not be worried about making a bad impression at work, but you’ll enjoy the break from the stress of work as much as your dates will enjoy being able to spend time with you away from the office. You’ll be able to really get to know each other and discover whether or not you have a genuine connection. And if not, at least you’ll know you’re not wasting your time or anyone else’s.
You have to keep things professional and avoid any romantic connections you might develop
If you’re in a relationship with one of your coworkers, it can be difficult to keep things professional. While the attraction may be mutual, making the workplace your love hangout means you’re putting your coworkers at risk of being privy to sensitive company information, and could possibly even cost one of them their job.
Keep your social media profiles separate
This is especially important when you have a joint account with your partner. At work, you don’t want the possibility that something you post could be misinterpreted. Even if it’s not about your job, it can still have repercussions. People may start to suspect that you’re not being honest. Avoid any potential issues by keeping your personal and work profiles separate. If you’re not very comfortable with social media, consider using a professional account for work-related interactions.
Keep your professional and personal contact information separate
To further protect your privacy, make sure you keep your work and personal email, cell phone and voicemail numbers separate. In addition, you might consider putting your work phone number on a different line and not giving out your personal number to anyone who works with you. When you’re on your lunch break, take the phone with you so it’s not in your office.
Do not use your work email to conduct personal business
After work hours and on weekends, you should be using your personal account for all your communications. If you find yourself emailing coworkers or sending them messages on LinkedIn or Facebook, you’re setting yourself up to be in an interoffice relationship. These can lead to problems with your coworkers and your employer and can also hurt your career.
You have to avoid any potential drama at work
If things start to get really serious and you find yourself getting overly emotional while at work, you could be setting yourself up for a major case of the blues. Not only could you lose your job, but your personal life could be in jeopardy as well. So, if you’re in a relationship and things start to heat up at work, you need to be careful. After all, you don’t want to risk losing it all just because things got a little too intense at work.
Avoid gossip and rumors
No one likes to work with gossips, and it’s impossible to work with someone who spreads rumors about you. There is no need to be a gossip and talk about coworkers behind their back. We all have skeletons in the closet, and it’s best to avoid making someone else’s life even more miserable by spreading rumors. It’s also important to remember that people talk about other people and coworkers usually have more access to information than we do. If you don’t want your coworkers to know about your love life, don’t discuss it.
Don’t reveal sensitive company information
This is a no-brainer but one that should be obvious to everyone involved. When you go into any workplace, you should assume that company information is sensitive and only discuss it with people you can trust. This includes your coworkers, your manager, and anyone else you may have regular interactions with regarding work-related issues. If someone you’re interested in tells you about a project they’re working on, consider if they’ve discussed the details with their coworkers outside of the workplace and whether you should feel comfortable discussing it as well.
Be careful what you post on social media sites
Everything you post online is permanent. Once something is posted online, it’s there for good. It’s a good idea to be careful about what you post on your social media pages. If you wouldn’t want your coworkers to see it, then don’t post it. You may also want to consider privacy settings on your profiles so only your friends can see your personal information.
Don’t badmouth co-workers or superiors
Even if you like your coworkers or boss, you don’t want to talk about them when you’re off the clock. If you have a bad relationship with anyone at work, it’s best to avoid bringing it up. If you’re not getting along, it’s best to address it before you’re in a position to cause problems. You don’t want to work with someone who is unhappy just because you’re dating them.
In conclusion, dating someone at work has its pros and cons. Weigh the pros and cons carefully before making a decision. If you do decide to date someone at work, be sure to keep it professional and respectful.
