When Romance At Workplace Fizzles

In this day and age, most people spend as much time at work with their colleagues as they do outside of work socializing with friends. Because of this, many individuals turn to the workplace to find romance. This phenomenon is no surprise. We share common experiences with our co-workers, go through challenging situations together, and often end up socializing once we have punched the clock at the end of the day.

There are, however, many reasons why anyone should approach dating a co-worker with caution. One of the biggest reasons is the chance that the romance will not work out, which carries the potential of awkwardness and uneasiness in the workplace. How you handle an office breakup can say as much about your level of maturity and professionalism as how you handled the relationship itself.

If you are involved in an office romance that is on its last legs, the
following are some do's and don'ts to help you get through the tough situation with dignity and grace.

DO keep your relationship out of the office. Hopefully, you will have already set ground rules about what is appropriate inside the walls of your company. This means you and your partner have steered clear of public displays of affection throughout your relationship.

Apply this same rule if you breakup. Don't use the company cafeteria to have a long discussion about the relationship or use the company email system to send nasty notes back and forth. Any display of emotional discourse between the two of you will only make you look unprofessional - and will be certain to set off a firestorm of company gossip.

DON'T resort to name calling or bad mouthing. In most breakups, one of the perks is being able to say nasty things about your ex to your friends. In a situation where the two of you share friends and colleagues, however, the rules change. You need to keep a professional attitude when it comes to ending an office romance, and this means saying nothing bad about your ex to co-workers. The last thing your company needs is a he said, she said war going on in the office, so bite your tongue and save your criticisms for your friends outside of work.

DO stay focused on your job. One reason so many company executives and human resources employees shudder at the thought of interoffice relationships is the effect they have on company productivity.

Breaking up is hard to do, but don't let it keep you from doing your work, finishing your projects, and giving your all to any task at hand. Everyone has to face a difficult personal situation and still work at one time or another - how you handle yours will show others how committed you are to your career and your company's success.

DON'T be hostile in the office - The tricky thing about dating a
co-worker is the fact that after a breakup, you still have to see him or her during the workday. This makes office romance breakups even more difficult than others. As painful as it may be to run into your ex at the coffee machine or sit across from him or her at a monthly staff meeting, try to put your personal feelings aside and handle yourself with dignity and professionalism.

DO subdue emotional behavior. Emotions run high during breakups, but you will fare much better in the long run if you keep a lid on them in the office. Slamming down the phone after a conversation, muttering obscenities about the other person, or bursting into tears are all things that are better done at home, not in the workplace.

DON'T play petty relationship games. Remember how as a teenager you used to try to make your boyfriend or girlfriend jealous during a fight by flirting shamelessly with another person? Tactics like this have no place in any adult relationship, much less in the office. Most people can see right through these displays and will think less of you as a professional if you indulge in them.

DO think twice about jumping into another office romance. While
office romances don't always end up in the gutter, there are a wide range of complications that these relationships entail. Once you get over your former love, do yourself a favor and look elsewhere for your next relationship. Chances are you will save yourself a great deal of complications in the long run!

 

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