Are Office Romances Good For Your Career? HR Advises

By Jane Okoth,

As professionals, we spend most of the time in the workplace than at home which is probably one of the reasons why we don’t have time to socialize and meet new people.

As a result, a lot of young men and women naturally seek potential partners within the surrounding environment and that is the workplace.

Is it advisable to have relationships with coworkers?

“Office romance does not have a happy ending,” says Kevin Mutuma, a Human Resource Officer at Virtual HR.

“The workplace has rules and being professional is one of them so I wouldn’t recommend it,” he opines.

Mr Mutuma states that getting involved with your colleague may at times affect the decisions of your work.

“This may occur if you are dating your colleague who is in a senior position. Your relationship may force him or her to compromise on decisions of the company so as to please you,” he explains.

Still on decision making in the company, Mr Mutuma says that some choices within the organization may impact both parties and the best way is to avoid emotions in the workplace.

He also adds that, “There is obvious potential for conflicts of interest between office situations and relationships.”

Mr Mutuma also points out that having a romantic relationship at work is likely to negatively affect your work performance.

On colleagues who find themselves in the sticky situation of having a relationship in the workplace, he advises that the best thing is to let your supervisor know.

“In this way, the supervisor can recommend on come up with a sober judgement on the matter,” he says.

“Also by letting your supervisor being aware of the matter, he or she can even recommend you to a different department but not in the same office,” he affirms.

Do companies have a policy that restricts dating in the workplace? I pose

“Most companies do not allow colleagues to date but it also depends with their policies,” he responds.

Can one be fired because of an office romance?

He shares that any decision has to be undertaken in line with the rules and regulations of the company.

Mr Mutuma also says that it is high time to consider looking for a new job just in case your relationship with your partner is serious.

“Take a scenario, where your Manager reprimands your partner for not having done his or her job well; you are likely to develop a sense of attitude towards him which may kill the morale of work,” he elaborates.

Lastly, Mr Mutuma strongly reiterates that office romance should be discouraged at all times.

“Just keep your personal and professional life separate in order to avoid such scenarios,” he concludes.

Are you in the same situation and how are you handling the matter?

For more workplace advice, contact jane@www.careerpointkenya.co.ke

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