Personal vs. Professional

Extracted from “The Star – 22 May 2013”

The employed generally spend more time in the office than at home so it can be forgiven that the workplace inadvertently turns into a hotbed of romance for some.

   “Executives these days are time-strapped to socialise outside of work. Hence, the office is fast becoming one of the places where busy professionals find their life partners,” says Josh Goh of the GMP Group, one of Asia’s leading staffing and human resource consultancies.

Recent studies have shown that over 30% of employees have dated someone in the office and of that, a third get married, says Karen Clifford, South-East Asia and India HR Director of Towers Watson, a global professional services company that helps organisations improve performance through effective people, risk and financial management.

House Rules

Some firms have strict rules which forbid office relationships. You should find out if yours does.

   If it doesn’t, it should be of little concern to the company if you are having a relationship with your co-worker. Unless, of course, your behaviours is impacting your performance or other employees, says Clifford.

   Office romance is fine for as long as you remain professional and discreet while at the workplace. And as long as it does not negatively impact your job performance.

   Based on your role in the firm, and if you think there could be a conflict of sorts, it may be a good idea – once the relationship is past its early stage – to be open to your managers, says Clifford.

Things To Consider

How to manage your working relationship without jeopardising your individual careers?

   Is there a possibility of either one of you being transferred to a separate department or a regional office?

   Naturally, you are right to worry if things do not work out between you and your colleague. Bumping into an ex while the break-up is still fresh is hard enough, so one can imagine the unease of seeing him/her every day in a place where you spend a considerable amount of time.

Don’t Do This

Never use e-mail or instant messaging to send love notes to your sweetheart.

   “Technology in your workplace is not private and may be monitored; and it belongs to your company,” Goh advises.