I don come again with another epistle. This time I'll like us to talk about something very interesting - office romance. Ghen ghen!

Office romance occurs when two people who work in the same organization starts “seeing” each other.

It is not very difficult to fathom why. We spend an average of 8-9 hours most days of our lives for the next 35 years at work so it was not surprising when a study showed that the office keeps coming up as the number 1 place people find love.

Different examples of people who have found love at work abound but I think the most popular story will remain that of the Lawyer wife of POTUS - Michelle Obama.

Michelle and Barrack Obama met when they were working together at the Chicago branch of their law firm and eventually got married. Chai, Mazi Obama just dey tap Orente Michelle for dem chambers.

This is just one of the many beautiful romantic stories about office relationships. However, not all that glitters is gold. While it is possible for an office romance to end in marriage, actually only about 32% of such actually does and over 69% of people who have engaged in workplace relationship have had to live with the consequence when it failed.

Here are some interesting workplace statistics

- 40% of workplace population has dated a co-worker.
- 18% has had more than twice an office relationship in their career.
- 14% of workers have dated their boss while 19% admitted to dating their subordinate.
- 47% of people who work in the hospital industry are likely to date a co-worker.
- 37% of people who were dating have to keep their relationship secret.
- 59% of us will date a co-worker at one point or another in our career.
- 7% of a recent survey says there is someone in their office they will to date.

We may not be able to advise if you should date a colleague or not. It is left for you to decide if it is worth it but here are some rules of engagement for workplace romance:

Rule 1: Know the territory where you operate

The first rule of thumb for office romance is to understand your company’s policy regarding interpersonal relationships. In the past, it was not unusual for companies to frown on workplace relationship but there is now a fundamental shift from the past.

While some companies e.g. CISCO are not discriminating against any form of interpersonal relationship in their workplace, it is still important that you understand your own company policies and what it says regarding workplace dating and marriage among colleagues.

Like mine, most companies frown against interpersonal relationship among colleagues due to lots of reasons while others do not either encourage or discourage it.

Rule 2: Work Comes First!

Romance is second and becomes a major problem when employees focus too much on the extracurricular instead. Work is the reason why you have your current job title so keep that prioritised above all else. You are not indispensable; no one is!

Rule 3: Do not date your boss or subordinate

Fancy your boss or subordinate? It is a no go area. Dating your boss or subordinate can have its own thrill but the consequences are usually higher. This is because there is a lot at stake when the relationship crosses the command line. It might result in a career roadblock or can give rise to blackmail should the relationship suddenly end on a back note.

It might also lead to gossip when the person you dating gets a career rise or pay rise. Even when it is merited, tongues will wag.

Rule 4: Stay off each other at work

While it might make sense to want to spend some time together when at work especially when you work together on the same project or in the same unit, sneaking behind the office rest room or behind close doors is forbidden.

Keep display of personal affection to when you meet outside the office. Public display of affection might be frowned at by other co-workers and can be a huge distraction. Stay off each other pathway as much as possible and this includes sending personal information using your official email address.

Rule 5: Know when it is over and out

Like all things either good or bad especially in a relationship, there comes a time when it fizzles out. Workplace relationship is not immune to the complexity involved in all relationship. Over time, the spark dwindles and everyone moves on. You need to understand this risk and when it is over, please move on.

Cupid can be funny. You really cannot tell when and where it will shoot its arrow. So follow these rules should you find yourself attracted to a co-worker and oh, by all means, keep it private.

There is more where this came from >> HERE

[size=1pt]Whatcha think CrazyMan, 1forall[/size]