Should coworkers date?

[rainman256]

Well, I dated a girl for 3 1/2 years, and she got a job in the same company I work at. A month of two later, we broke up. It was a little weird at first, but we still say hi, we still hang out sometimes after work if everyone goes out to have a drink, we still say hi in the hallways, or see each other on break -- it's been perfectly okay. But then again, we're both mature enough and professional enough to realize the need to keep home stuff at home, and work stuff at work.

I'm not sure if it's the same for everyone, but it's been fine from my experience.

 

[Eagle653]

I think a real problem develops when subordinates date supervisors, and most companies have rules against that now. When co-workers date, there are three potential problems:

1) Their attention to each other is distracting and nauseating to other co-workers, leading everyone to be less productive;

2) If a breakup occurs, it can literally fracture a department by the time people take sides and listen to all the grief;

3) Sometimes these partnerships become "power plays" and "power brokers" in an office dynamic--becoming this obnoxious borg-like nuisance to everyone around them.

Other than that, I've seen it work well and I've seen it be an utter disaster. With people working so closely with each other, and having the chance to form relationships, I'm kind of surprised it doesn't happen more often.

 

[Lobservateur]

Some companies have rules prohibiting dating between employees, so find out if that applies to your company because you can lose your job.

 

[chatolandia]

Actually most people have been part of an office romance


the reason is simple, we spend most of our time there, so it is probable that it'll happen


as long as is not between a supervisor and employee, or if it becomes unprofessional

why not?


Just don't mention it, to anyone at work, ever....


if they find out elsewhere fine, but it should not be through you or the other person

 

[RedRedKroovy]

Absolutely not...Don't shit where you eat.

 

[NineOfClubs]

Absolutely not...Don't shit where you eat.

That's one of those things that's said so often that it has to be true.....

Much better to not even think about fooling around with a co-worker.

 

[Lube]

Actually most people have been part of an office romance


the reason is simple, we spend most of our time there, so it is probable that it'll happen


as long as is not between a supervisor and employee, or if it becomes unprofessional

why not?


Just don't mention it, to anyone at work, ever....


if they find out elsewhere fine, but it should not be through you or the other person

Exactly.

Just act like adults.

 

[Just_Believe18]

Don't shit where you eat.

 

[Lube]

Don't shit where you eat.

Who's talking about shitting?

We're talking about fucking.

Me, my brother, my two sisters, and my parents all had 10+ year marriages based on people we met at work. No drama here.

I don't know why people keep posting the same tired clichés. They sound funny, but they're worthless.

It's only a mistake if you use people for tricks at work. That's definitely a bad thing. Dating is not a bad thing.

 

[kooman]

no
do not date co-workers!
it feels awkard and weird at times.
trust me.
been there
done that.

 

[nihilis]

It all depends on the people involved. As others have said, if people can be adults, keep their relationship details out of the workplace, and still do their jobs, it's never an issue. I have two friends who are in a long term relationship with 2 kids. He was her supervisor for a while. There were awkward moments, like when they'd had a fight, but for the most part they handled it professionally and they've worked together for years with minimal problems.
On the other hand, I had a friend who was screwing around with a guy he worked with, and they were both in the closet. Once one of them ended it, the other did his best to try to get him fired. It was a bloodbath. It didn't help that one of them was married of course...
I saw a special on some news show about how people are around each other so much at work, office romances are inevitable. Nowadays, rather than outright banning them, companies are drawing up contracts for both parties to sign exempting the company from any liability and giving them the power to take care of the situation if it gets out of hand. So in all honesty, it's really a matter of whether the two people involved can handle it. If you can find someone special at work and not involve everyone else in the process, I'd say go for it.

 

[sb]

if you are attracted to someone you are attracted to them. as most people spend more time at work then they do out socialising and that it will happen no matter how many companies try to control their employees lives. so like others have said... act like an adult about it.

 

[Kyanimal]

There was a time, many, MANY, Years ago, when I was "Fucking Around" with one of my techs! I was his supervisor. However ... what we did with each other outside of the work place stayed out of the workplace. Well ... not exactly out of the physical workplace (after hours), but, rather, out of the workplace while we were working!

Both of us were able to make the "disconnect" while working!

It depends on the individuals involved. If you both realize that Everything has it's rightful place (and time), then all should be a "Good Thing"!

The company that I currently work for is extremely "Family Oriented". Spouses, siblings, and other "relatives" are all over the place! The general rule is ... "relationships" do not share the same shift ... though they can be in the same department. When marriages do happen, someone has to change shifts, or work for a different department. This does seem to work out O.K. Though it does make for some rather "interesting" situations, at times. "Are you telling me that the Idiot I just called an "Asshole" is related to/dating You??"

Keep smilin'!!
Chaz