Going to work is a time to focus on all your assignments for the day. It should not be a time to obsess over relationships with your co-workers. For those who are just starting in the work field, here are some essential things that you need to know about relationships in the workspace. Take caution, and follow the rules of your workspace. You don’t want to get fired.
Can You Get Fired For Kissing at Work?
Read through your work manual for the right conduct. Studies report that co-workers who briefly hold hands or kiss may be seen as inappropriate. But it does not qualify as a dismissal.
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That depends if the kiss was enforced or not acceptable at the time. File a claim about the incident and talk to your boss about the situation.
Can You Get Fired For Dating an Employee?
It is possible in some workspaces for employees to get fired for dating. The boss is allowed to fire you for breaking a rule in the employee handbook. Many workplaces are open to romances, as long as it does not interfere with your work performance.
This rule is based on disobeying a reasonable order from a superior. There have been instances when intimate relationships are out of bounds. As long as the firing is not based on legal discrimination then employees should follow the rules.
Can You Be Fired for Flirting at Work?
We all have different views of what flirting is. Sometimes flirting comes off as harassment. Watch what you do and how you say something to one of your co-workers. People can take things the wrong way.
Flirting can get you into trouble at work if it is not a company policy. It’s better to avoid flirting at work or you could get yourself into trouble.
To understand signs of flirting, here are 3 examples.
Physical Boundaries
Brief touches to the shoulder or a light brush against the arm is a sign of flirting. Or do they grab a seat next to you at the meeting?
Over Complimenting
Another sign that someone is flirting with you is that they give you a lot of compliments. Pay attention to what they are complimenting. It could be a compliment of your appearance or how you did in the meeting.
Teasing, banter, and joking
These are all forms of flirting. Certain work environments don’t conduct this type of behavior.
What is an Inappropriate Relationship in the Workplace?
Romantic sexual relationships between employees are not appropriate in the workspace. To be more specific, sexual relationships they influence or control over the other’s conditions is not appropriate employee etiquette.
Other inappropriate workplace behaviors include
- Harassment
- Bullying
- Aggression and violence
Co-workers should be encouraged to socialize and develop a professional relationship with one another, but they need to be respectful of boundaries.
Tips for Sleeping with a Coworker
If you are to sleep with a coworker, here a few tips that you should be aware of.
- DON’T Do it in the Office
I’m sure that you know this, but keep it in the bedroom. Co-workers don’t need to see that. And you’re sure to get fired if you bring your relationship into a place of business.
- Choose Your Romantic Coworker Wisely
Make smart decisions. Is there actual chemistry between you and the person you are sleeping with? Take a look at their rank in the business. Be genuine so as not to make it look like you are just sleeping your way to the top. And make sure that the other is genuine and not going to call you out to your boss.
- Avoid Walking into Work Together
It’s not a good idea to walk into work at the same time. Unless you’re going to start officially dating, keep your relationship to yourselves. It is nobody else’s business.
- Focus on Your Job
This is not the time to ruin your career path. You have worked so hard for this job. Sometimes it is better to avoid making relationships in the work field because they cause so much drama. Be known as someone good at the job. Not as the slacker.
- Don’t Ignore Emotional Implications
The biggest mistake anyone makes before sleeping with a colleague ignoring the contemplation of what could happen emotionally when a work fling ends. Are you okay with having a romantic fling with the guy that you have to see every day? Think about that before going into this.
- Best to keep it a Secret
It’s okay to tell your close friends. It’s not okay to tell your close friends at work about the relationship. You know how gossip travels like wildfire. Keep the relationship to yourself. Besides, you never know where this fling will lead to.
- Talk about Your Relationship
If something is not working out in the relationship, talk with them directly. There is no need to hide your feelings. And you work together. Open the subject with them so things don’t get weird. Make sure to talk outside of the office away from co-workers or your boss who may be listening in.
- No ‘Accidental’ Run-ins
Relationships don’t work out in the office because then you’re going to have to do what George Costanza did. Plan out your trek to the bathroom so you can avoid seeing them. But that does not mean you should plan on ‘accidentally’ meeting with them. That messes up your whole day.
FAQs
- How to Get Over a Coworker you Slept With
Whichever direction that relationship went, here are tips on how to get over a coworker you slept with.
- Tip #1: Don’t Ignore
Ignoring is the worst option that anyone can do. It sends the wrong message across. Talk out the relationship, why it is working, not working, or why you are keeping it a secret for the sake of work. But for those who need to get over that coworker, don’t ignore your feelings and be open with them.
- Tip #2: Be Friends
If a relationship doesn’t work out, that doesn’t mean you cannot be friends. Avoiding the coworker is not your best option because they’re at work. They’re in your life in some way. Keep things grounded, have a civil talk, share a laugh, and agree to be friends.
- Tip #3: Don’t be Guilty
There is no need to beat yourself up about a failed relationship with your coworker. It’s natural to feel these emotions. Move on. Most relationships don’t work out for various reasons. Don’t let a failed work relationship cause an issue in your life.
- Tip #4: Talk with Non-Work Friends
If the situation is bothering you to the point that you cannot focus, talk with somebody outside of work. Talking always helps. There is no need to bring up the situation with people in your work environment. Everyone has different opinions. Plus, they may report it to your boss.
- Tip #5: Pay Attention to Yourself
Give yourself time to heal. If you need and if you can, give yourself time off work. Self-care is most important. Just because you had one failed relationship does not mean that it is the end of the world. Eventually, time will heal all wounds.
- Should I Tell My Boss That I’m Dating a Coworker?
This is entirely up to you. It’s important to be open about relationships with your boss. But if it’s a situation that you must bring up to your boss, here’s how you go through with it.
- Step 1: Go into this conversation knowing the risks. Think about how the relationship will affect your personal life and work life.
- Step 2: Have the best intentions when talking about the situation to your boss. Keep it professional. Think about who you are discussing it with. Boss have varying nature’s whether they are open to certain topics and boundaries in their work environment.
- Step 3: Be aware of your company’s policies. If your company is open to relationships in the office, be honest. But if the company or your boss is not open to office relationships then you need to rethink your intentions.
- Step 4: In the situation that your boss is okay with the relationship, this is an appropriate time to talk about scenarios if the relationship doesn’t work out. How do you want your boss to play a role in the situation?
- Do you Have to Report Relationships to HR?
Outside of a legal declaration to follow by the rules of HR, coworkers are not required to disclose the status of their relationship nor to other personal things like their new apartment or family matters. If you think it might affect the situation it’s best not to say anything.
If HR knows about a working relationship they will monitor the work environment closely. This is to ensure that no conflict of interest will arise and so things won’t turn sour. If the relationship gets in the way, HR has the right to move people to different jobs.
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