Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

  • Don’t Miss Anything
  • Start Here
  • Essentials Shop
  • Latest Deals
  • Style Scenarios
  • Reviews

How to Navigate a Workplace Romance

June 29, 2016 By Beth | Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Also, we take your privacy rights seriously. Head here to learn more.

If you’re among the many who find themselves smitten with a co-worker, you’re certainly not alone. Work is where we spend most of our waking hours. It’s where we find success, failure, and friends, so why not love? But it can be dicey to pursue someone at work, when there’s so much at stake. Here, a few tips and tricks for navigating workplace romance as smoothly as possible.

 

Avoid a boozy work event hook-up

You’ve been pining for the woman who works in the cube three down from you, for six wretched months. You love her laugh, you have the same taste in music, and her legs refuse to quit. It may be tempting to wait until you’ve both had three margaritas at the holiday party to sloppily confess your love, armed with the kind of bravery only tequila can provide. Reconsider, my friend. The odds of you making an ass of yourself in front of her and/or your coworkers are very, very high. Asking out a co-worker should be done privately and soberly. Drink afterwards, either to celebrate or grieve (kidding…sort of).

AlecDrinking

Just preparing to see my crush at the July 4th company picnic… (image credit)

.

Proceed with caution

Most large companies are on high alert for sexual harassment claims. While a Say Anything scenario is romantic outside of the workplace, inside the workplace, it can be grounds for termination. So take your love interest at his word. No, he’s not interested in having a drink with you after work? Your response should be courteous and short–“Okay, no problem.” Move on. No pressing, no flower sending, and no vindictive behavior in future interactions with him.

Don’t be standing outside his cubicle with an iPod dock…

 .

Be realistic

Most relationships don’t work out. Think about it, if you date five people and marry the sixth, your track record stinks (always happy to give you fellas a confidence boost). And that’s totally normal, most of us need many tries to find the right person. Knowing that, the odds that you end up with the person you meet at work are actually kind of small. So approach a possible relationship with your eyes wide open. Ask yourself–what will my work experience be like if this relationship doesn’t work out? Will I be able to remain professional and courteous? Will the other person? Thus….

 

Talk about it

…also be prepared. You have feelings for a co-worker, and she for you, you’ve decided to go for it, good for you, truly. The next step, before wine and Barry White, is a conversation to set ground rules. How will you behave at work while dating? Who (if anyone) will you tell about your relationship? If either of you is involved in mentoring/coaching/supervising the other, this is a good time to find someone else to step in and take over that role. If your company has a strict policy regarding disclosing dating in the workplace, you should have at least a part of this conversation in the presence of an HR rep.

LoveBirds

Slow your roll, lovebirds. Reason first, romance second. (image credit)

 

Keep your hands to yourself

There’s nothing more delicious at the start of a relationship than that feeling of not being able to keep your hands off the other person. You just want to kiss him and hold his hand and run through a field singing, tra la la la! Yeah, don’t. No kissing, no hugging, no hand holding, no butt patting, no arm squeezing.

At work? Son, you gotta wait to touch the cookies .

 

You're hovering a bit there bucko.

About the Author: If you’ve got a question that needs the female treatment, chances are you’re not the only one who wants to ask it. Beth is our source for the answers. From opinions on men’s style to decoding the sometimes mysterious ways of women, she’ll take on a different question every Thursday. She also might provide an answer without waiting to be asked. That happens from time to time too. Click here to get to know Beth, then get in touch with her by sending your question to: askawoman@dappered.com .

Filed Under: Women Tagged With: Ask A Woman, career, relationships

Continue the Conversation …

Want to share your thoughts on this article? Send us a tweet, join the discussion on Facebook, or hit us up on Instagram!

Don’t Miss Anything

Subscribe via email to get articles in your inbox or add Dappered on Flipboard. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or subscribe to push notifications to get alerts immediately.

New Here?

Well, welcome to Dappered. Here are what we consider the most useful posts on the site if you're looking to put a little more effort into your appearance. Just want to see our favorite menswear products? Shop our essentials here.

MTO Suits, Goodyear Welted Boots, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful

MTO Suits, Goodyear Welted Boots, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful

Mid Thursday Update: J. Crew has refreshed their final sale section.

The 10 Sweater Styles of a Stylish Man’s Wardrobe

The 10 Sweater Styles of a Stylish Man’s Wardrobe

Crews to Cardigans. Half Zips to Shawl Collars. Plus the pros and cons of each.

7 Reasons Why L.L. Bean Boots are Timeless Classics

7 Reasons Why L.L. Bean Boots are Timeless Classics

The argument for L.L.’s foul weather boots.

Follow Dappered on Instagram »

Men’s Fashion or Affordable Style?

Men's Fashion or Affordable Style?

Fashion is temporary and expensive. Style is timeless and affordable. Dappered® helps you work the retail system so that you can be comfortable, look sharp, and save money.

Want to share a great product? Email Us.
For a fit perspective, see Joe's measurements.
Make sure to read our affiliate disclosure.

CONNECT WITH DAPPERED

Thanks! Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Most Popular on Dappered

  • The 10 Sweater Styles of a Stylish Man’s Wardrobe
  • Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – Spier’s Sweater Sale, BR Factory new arrivals, & More
  • MTO Suits, Goodyear Welted Boots, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful
  • 7 Reasons Why L.L. Bean Boots are Timeless Classics
  • Steal Alert: Grant Stone’s Sale Section has had a major update
  • Old Navy’s cheap pants stacking sale, UNIQLO coats, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful

Popular Topics

  • Best dress shirts to own
  • Best looking watches under $100
  • Best men’s dress shoes under $200
  • Nike Killshot sneaker alternatives
  • How to wear a suit without a tie
  • Suitsupply store review
  • Suitsupply Blue Line review
  • J. Crew Factory Thompson suit review
  • How much does it cost to tailor a suit?
  • Dopp kit essentials
  • Brown shoes with gray pants
  • Men’s style buying guide

Copyright © 2023 Dappered.com | Dappered, LLC | Dappered® is a registered trademark of Dappered, LLC

Hat tip: Magazine Pro Theme On Genesis Framework

Dappered does not collect or sell its users personal information | Disclosures: Privacy and Affiliates, Gilt.com, FTC

WPE

We work with partners that use cookies to understand how visitors use our site. Find out more.