Tips for dating your coworker

If you find yourself falling for a colleague, the experts these do's and don'ts to follow while dating a coworker to help you navigate the situation.
Table of contents

If you know that the person you are interested in has a spouse or significant other, do not pursue them. If they have also dated others in the office in the past, it is probably best not to date them, as this could create some jealousy. Find out this information by asking your coworkers covertly, checking their social media accounts, or noticing wedding rings or pictures of spouses on their desk. Do you know of anyone else who dates or has dated here in the office? Prioritize work while you are on the job.

If you begin to date, know that you have to keep work first no matter what. Keep a schedule and a to do list and continue to complete all assignments well and on time.

Search form

Stay quiet in the early stages. If you have only been on a date or two with this person, there is little need to inform your coworkers or your boss about it. But if you have began to see them more regularly, then you should tell your supervisor before someone else does. Keep the door open. The person you are dating might be someone who you have to work with very closely. When in meetings with them, keep the door or blinds open. You do not want others to assume that you are being inappropriate in your office.

Limit your meetings at work. Avoid spending unnecessary time alone together while at work. Go to lunch together occasionally, but not everyday.

5 Rules for Dating a Coworker

Continue to maintain your friendships with your other coworkers. Keep your hands to yourself while at work. Though you may want to hug or kiss your partner at work, know that doing so could do some damage to your professional reputation. It is okay for others to know that you are dating, but keep things at the workplace strictly professional. Maintain boundaries with coworkers. Advance your career without their help.

Instead, rely on your merit and work hard to achieve what you want. You will feel better about yourself and your partner will be proud of you. Avoid sending romantic messages through your work email. If you want to send your partner cute messages throughout the day, do so through your cell phone.

Tips For Dating A Coworker

Any correspondence sent through email may be monitored and could be potentially be used in a sexual harassment lawsuit should your relationship go sour. Use only your personal devices for personal messages. Avoid dating another coworker if you breakup. If you break up, do not date another coworker, especially if your ex is still working with you. You will likely get a bad reputation for only dating coworkers and will continue to make your work life even more messy.

About the Author

Consider the worst case scenario. What happens if you break up? If you have divulged private information to them, particularly that is work related, consider how this might be used against you in the future. Though your partner may be loving and amazing, know that breakups can bring out the worst in people and could potentially threaten your job. When you two are together away from work, as much as possible, avoid talk about business. Work to keep your professional and romantic lives as separate as possible.

12 Do's & Don'ts I Learned From Dating A Coworker

This will prevent your life from being solely about work and will help you have a better time with your partner. Maintain your own friendships and hobbies. Since your professional and romantic life is now so heavily intertwined, it will be important to maintain those friendships and hobbies that are completely separate from both. Keep up with your friends and spend time with them regularly. Attempts to keep the relationship a secret usually fail and invite interest, speculation, and gossip.

Tell your boss first. This might sound a little goodie-two-shoes, but my suggestion is to share your relationship with your head honcho. Inevitably your boss will find out anyway, and you want her to be confident that you'll behave in a professional, ethical, and responsible manner.

She can even be an ally to help you create personal and professional boundaries. Nix the public displays of affection PDAs. No one wants to watch you suck face in the office corridor. Think before you share. Nicole is also LinkedIn's Career Expert. Join Now Log In.