Would you date a co-worker?

15 January 2013

In some respects, dating a co-worker seems natural. You spend most of your time in the workplace so it's only natural that you would grow close to a co-worker.

Relationships on Female First

Once you've grown closer, the normal thing to do would be to take the next step and make it official right? Well, maybe not.

There are always the pro's of dating a co-worker; you get to see them daily and it definitely improves the work experience having your partner there with you.

But then there is the con's too. Spending too much time together can harm a relationship, especially if you live together too.

Sitting over the desk from your partner all day and then having to sit across from them all night can become too much to bear and can leave you with little to talk about.

Then there is the obvious, what if you broke up? Not only would you be faced with the prospect of having to see them every day, but it could also harm your career.

In a recent survey by IllicitEncounters.com, 80 per cent of employers said that romances between co-workers can often harm the career prospects for those involved.

This could include a range of angles; it could stop you getting a promotion, see clients being taken off as well as your general productivity being harmed.

You've also got to consider that an office romance may lead you to finding a job with a different company.

In a separate survey from IllicitEncounters.com, 6 per cent of employers said it was part of their employees terms of contract that they are not allowed to date fellow employees.

So there is plenty for you to consider, would you leave your job for a co-worker if you had to? Would you be able to cope seeing them in the office every day if it ended?

Remember, it's not all doom and gloom, some of the best relationships began in the workplace, just make sure you consider your options before going down that path!