Happy St. Patty’s Day! Here at DateSpaces, we love this particular time of the year because it signifies that spring is about to be sprung. We also realize that as “spring fever” is about to come into full bloom, we are presented with choices that will affect our lives for the rest of the year to come. For instance, this weekend we may ask ourselves, “Should I have just one more green beer?” or, “Should I put this emerald-sequined shirt and wig set on layaway?” In case you were wondering, the answer to both of those questions is a resounding NO.
Jim A. from Mastic has one of those common queries that always tend to pop up around springtime. He says, “I really like my coworker and I think the feeling is mutual. I know that some consider office romance a serious no-no. How do I broach the subject, or is that a terrible idea in the first place?” Jim, we have good news and bad news for you. The good news is that according to many (read this article in USA Today), office romance is generally more accepted than it used to be. The bad news? Claims of sexual harassment are still alive and kicking. And you thought those claims died out with that horrible Demi Moore movie. Don’t believe us? Just read this article in the New York Times about NY Knicks coach Isiah Thomas.
Don’t get us wrong here. We’re not saying that you shouldn’t ask out the hottie in the corner office. If she’s been giving you the eye and dropping some not-too-subtle hints that she wants your bod, then go for it. We just want you to know the potential pitfalls before you take the plunge. Follow these three rules and you should avoid trouble:
1. Know your company’s policy on office romance. If your company has a clear policy against employees dating each other, then you’re going to have to keep your relationship a secret and risk losing your job. However, the most recent survey of Human Resource Managers shows that 72 percent of companies don’t even have a policy in place.
2. Know the “culture” of your company. By “culture”, we mean the unwritten rules. In the same survey cited above, 14 percent of human resource managers said that their company has “an unwritten, but well understood, norm in their workplace.” This could mean that it’s quite alright to thumb wrestle with the Jessica Alba look-alike in the file room, or it could mean that it’s not. It’s your job to find out.
3. Know your company’s sexual harassment policy. Nowadays, most companies have one on record that’s easily accessible. Know what it is and you’ll most likely avoid trouble. As a general rule here, if you’re the boss, be very careful about dating employees on a lower rung, as it will open you up to scrutiny.
You see, Jim, it mostly depends on precedent. If people in your company have been dating forever, and you’ve been invited to the weddings of co-workers, then do it. If your boss is Isiah Thomas and your company has been enforcing the rules, then don’t. Whatever you do, don’t get caught leaving photocopies of your butts in the copy room trash. That’s just asking for trouble.
Share some of your best office romance tales with us. Email charles@datespaces.com with your successes and failures.
