To Date or Not To Date A Co-worker? That is the Question!

People find themselves in this predicament at one point or another in their lives.  They’re at work and someone catches their eye.  They chat, they flirt, and over time they discuss going on a date.  If you find yourself interested in dating your co-worker, do you know with certainty what you would do?

There are conflicting arguments about how to handle dating your co-worker.  Some say, “no way” it will just make things awkward if the relationship goes sour.  While others say, “why not?” I’m here all of the time anyway and don’t have enough free time to get out and meet people elsewhere.  Besides, my workplace is FULL of hotties; how could I not date or hook up with a few of them?  

There is no right or wrong answer here.  I know people who met through work, fell in love and got married.  I know people who had disasterous experiences where they were stalked by a heart-broken ex at work.  Talk about not getting any work done!  Others have hid the relationship successfully, while others were found out or were very open with their co-workers that they were indeed dating.

Here are a few things to consider before choosing whether or not to date someone in your workplace:

Know and set your boundaries on what is acceptable to you.  If you do not want anyone to know about your relationship and your partner decides to divulge to a few co-workers, you’ve just created a rumor mill that will in fact be true.

Also evaluate your working relationship.  If someone you like is someone you have to work with on a daily basis, this can make it more difficult for you to separate work life from personal life.  Emotions don’t turn on or off like a faucet and if you’re really into each other everyone around you will notice.  Again, spurring another truthful rumor mill.  This can be extremely difficult if you work in the same department or on the same team.

Evaluate the maturity of the other person.  Just because you’re able to handle a relationship with a co-worker doesn’t mean everyone else is.  There’s nothing worse than a personal issue being turned into a work issue when the two aren’t related.

My personal point of view is to never date your boss.  Why run the risk of being dumped and fired by the same person?