Romantic relationships developing in workplaces aren't really surprising. But in light with the prevalence of these relationships are the risks associated with them, as well as the best and ethical ways in managing them are significant issues to consider in a corporate setup.
Many individuals who would have met and married someone at school years ago have postponed serious relationships, commitments and other life decisions. The reason? They want their careers to be more established first. Employees working in professional environments who spend much of their time at the office, on the other hand, are more likely to find themselves in a romantic relationship with a colleague despite the fact that work-life balance is difficult to achieve.
Related: SEX AND THE SINGLE CO-WORKERS
Workplace romances can be a force for good, Career-Intelligence noted. Practically speaking, employees involved in an office romance can share notes or ideas and are able to collaborate well together. It can also have a positive impact on how they handle the demands and pressures placed on them since they inherently understand those things are part of their lives.
While some may argue that workplace romances may have a great deal of advantages, such situations are often plagued with risks, Florida Today reported. For one, workplace romances can lessen productivity as the employees involved become distracted, concentrating primarily on their romantic interests.
Aside from issues of productivity and morale, office romances often have an unfavorable effect on the productivity of the couple's fellow employees, who may experience feelings of jealousy or who may be concerned about nepotism. There are also issues of employee absenteeism and the threat of a sexual harassment suit, Forbes revealed.
So, would you rather choose to get involved in a workplace romance or just stay single? While workplace romances pose risks, staying single can spark several issues too. According to a separate Forbes report, single workers are often stereotyped and treated like second-class citizens in the workplace, where less benefits are offered despite having the same responsibilities as a married employee.
Nevertheless, single employees revealed that their solo state has been an advantage to their career since they can devote more time and energy to boost their work. They can also fully focus on their profession, which in turn creates more opportunities for greater responsibility and rewards.
Meanwhile, it's really tempting to pursue a workplace romance with a co-worker, an assistant or even with the boss, as per Bloomberg Business. While there are a few potential benefits, there are more compelling reasons why one shouldn't get involved at work. At best, these relationships can just be troublesome but it can also be damaging at worst.
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