Keeping cupid out of the office

John Denver once sang, “Love is everywhere.” Although the office is a professional workspace it is not immune to the effects of love. While cupid’s arrow can strike at any time and within any context, and its side effects felt by any and everyone equipped with the bio-chemical hardwiring necessary to experience feelings of love, office place romances should take place outside of the office. Even though cupid’s wings may bring him wherever he likes, coworkers affected by his sweet sting should keep in mind a few things before allowing themselves to be completely overwhelmed by love’s aroma.

1. Corporate policy. If workplace romances are strictly forbidden by corporate policy it would be inadvisable to enter into a relationship with a coworker. If you decide love’s bite is too strong to resist, be prepared for the unhappy consequences which may follow from your decision to disregard company policy.
2. Perception. Even in the unlikely circumstance that office place romances are either explicitly or implicitly condoned by corporate policy or your company’s executive leadership, in the corporate jungle, perception is everything. Although office place romances may not be forbidden, choose wisely.  If any employees perceive that the object of your affection is unfairly benefiting from your relationship with him or her, your job may be on the line.
3. Discretion. People go to work to, well, work. Even if you found love in the workplace, it is important that that love come to fruition and blossom outside of the office. Even if you are overcome with romance, it is important not to become too distracted and to maintain professionalism at all costs.
4. Are your feelings one-sided? Although outside of the workplace one-sided romances can be quite embarrassing, within the workplace a one-sided romance could land you in a heap of trouble. If you have strong feelings for a coworker, and that coworker is unable to reciprocate those feelings, your expressed attraction could be construed as harassment.
5. What’s wrong with an electronic love note? While corporate e-mail should be used to conduct business and interact with coworkers, it is not the proper platform to woo a coworker whom you are dating. Keep this in mind: companies monitor and archive e-mail chatter, and HR may not care whether you are actively seeing the person you’re wooing.