You spend a majority of your waking hours around the people you work with, so it is inevitable that you will become involved in each other’s lives. It’s normal to develop friendships and, in some instances, crushes in the workplace. The question then becomes; when is it acceptable to develop a deeper relationship with someone in the office? There are basic safeguards you need to take when you become more involved in your co-workers’ lives. You have to always remember that you will be seeing these people as long as you are employed at the office, so proceed with caution.

When it comes to friendships in the office, watch who you trust. There is a fine line that shouldn’t be crossed when welcoming work “friends” into your personal life. Remember, at the end of the day everyone is there to complete their tasks and meddling in others’ lives can become a sticky situation. Before you begin to divulge your life story to your co-workers, make sure they have your best interest in mind. Develop relationships slowly and be careful to omit information that could be detrimental to your employment if shared with the wrong person.

What happens when friendships turn into more?

You see each other every day, soon sparks begin to fly. Before acting on your emotions, evaluate the situation and determine if your office crush is worth possible the repercussions.  First, it is VITAL to visit your employee handbook and review your company’s policy on inter-office relationships.  Many companies have stringent guidelines about co-workers becoming romantic mainly because office romance can negatively affect productivity.  If you find out that you are violating company rules we suggest you inform your boss when the time is right. Honesty is always the best policy.

Be discreet, a.k.a. avoid the public displays of affection. This type of behavior is asking for trouble and/or scrutiny from other co-workers. It is also important to be sure that if the relationship fails, you can remain professional – this is easier said than done.

As you move into your career, remember to evaluate your long-term goals with the company. Limit your involvement with co-workers until you have established your position in the workplace and developed your personality. As a best practice,always set boundaries between your work and personal life.

- Hannah V.