A lot of people advice against workplace relationships either with colleagues or superiors but all this advice doesn’t stop us from feeling what we feel and acting on this feelings at the moments that we do. I am not exempt from this; I once had a thing with someone I worked with, and for the period it lasted, we didn’t have problems so you can also have successful workplace relationships.
There’s plenty you can do to discourage humiliation, harm or disruption for yourself and your friends whether you are in workplace relationships, or think about beginning one. Here are six things to take into consideration.
- Be Aware of Legal Penalties
In terms of being “personal.” workplace relationships can be subject to certain draconian legislation, which can be national or state laws or religious codes. Make sure you learn how these relate to your case.
For instance, the state of Utah in the U.S. has a Nepotism Act that makes it illegal for someone with whom you have a “appoint, supervise or make salary or performance recommendations” to “close personal relationship.”
Breaking relationship laws in certain parts of the world can have severe consequences for people and visitors alike, from fines and incarceration to death.
For instance, all sexual activities outside of heterosexual marriage are a crime in the United Arab Emirates, including living with someone of the opposite sex. And any alleged lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) behaviour or identity may be violently prosecuted in many nations, including Nigeria and Russia.
- Check Your Organization’s HR Policy
Even if the partnership is not forbidden by the statute, or governs how you handle it, certain companies have their own strict workplace relationship policies. Some firms, for instance, frown upon one partner handling the other.
The best choice is to ask your HR department if it has a policy in place and let your HR consultant know if you are in a partnership with your workplace.
Before dating a more junior person, or before putting yourself in some position where there might be a real or perceived power disparity, think carefully if you are a manager or senior employee. This could lead to abuse charges.
- Consider the culture of your business.
Even if it’s not included in HR policy, you need to get a feel for the cultural perspective of your company on organizational relationships. By cultivating cultural intelligence and making an effort to consider the experiences, values and behaviours of the individuals around you, you can do this.
If you are employed overseas, or in an organization with a different culture than your own, this is extremely important.
Whatever the legal or cultural sense, be mindful that even in liberal workplaces, “getting involved” with a co-worker when either of you is in another, committed relationship would probably bring your honesty into question.
- Agree with your partner on a strategy
Chances are, your bosses and co-workers already know that in the sales team, you have a crush on the redhead, and they might already believe it has bloomed into a relationship!
So with your partner, you have to determine how you will act at work. Are you going to come clean” and let your colleagues know what is happening? Or do you join the third of couples in the workplace who prefer to keep their relationship a secret?
Discuss whether to set such limits at work, such as not spending too much time together alone or agreeing to not use your “pet names” with each other.
You need to agree, of course, on what path you will take. If the other is trying to “keep it under wraps” it’s not a successful partner flaunting a bond!
- Keep Job Professional
You may approve of your office romance with your coworkers, and think you’re the best-matched couple since Romeo and Juliet, but you do need to tread carefully.
Your coworkers can feel uncomfortable indulging in in-jokes, private conversations, and public displays of affection. And if you and your partner in the staff restaurant eat lunch together, other colleagues might not know if you want privacy or would accept the extra business. Why not get a few more people invited along? You made the bid even though they refused your invitation.
When your co-workers are absent, whether you discuss business issues together or worse yet, make business decisions, it will possibly trigger resentment. You need to be extremely aware of your professional interactions if you are managing your partner, and being seen to be extra cautious in treating your other team members equally and reasonably.
It can go a long way to having you on hand to show some awareness and empathy for how other people view your relationship. For example, when creating an in-group of two, be careful to avoid unintentionally removing individuals.
- Be Ready for Gossip!
Human beings are social creatures, and by exchanging stories and experiences, we interact with one another. And the more these stories become thrilling or surprising, the more engaging they become. So even though you follow the above recommendations rigorously, some individuals may be eager to make conclusions and to see favoritism or nepotism that isn’t there. This is some false news.
Oh, be ready! Keep careful notes on any acts or decisions you take that are potentially important, such as any pay increases or promotions you accept or suggest, and be scrupulous in noting any possible conflicts of interest. Should you ever need to fight any accusations of unequal treatment, this will provide evidence.
If you remain professional and honest in your relationships and conduct in the workplace, individuals are less likely to be concerned with your relationship. This will be tougher for those in Nigeria as you will find your colleagues using the two of you like case studies a lot.
What if the relationship ends?
If your workplace relationship comes to an end, no matter what the reason, you have to remain professional. For you, your former partner, and your friends, this can be a difficult time, particularly if you still need to work closely together. An acrimonious division can poison the environment in the workplace and affect productivity and morale.
Hope this helps those planning to go into a relationship in the workplace and those already in one. Signing off for today, love and light, Wonder.
