The issue of dating people you work with discussion

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I've noticed recently that every time people talk about dates and looking for people, they think the workforce is the right place. I've decided to make a thread about dating co-workers and how I feel about it and you guys can say how you feel about the issue. Do you think it's a good or bad idea? Are you for it or against it? Have you had any experiences and were they good or bad? The questions could go on.

My opinion: I made this thread because I for one am very sick of seeing people mentioning dating co-workers and I'm getting sick of it being done. In my opinion I think dating a co-worker is a very bad idea. It doesn't matter if you are both on the same level or not or if you work in different departments; the point is I feel dating a co-worker is a big distraction from your job, no matter what it is. You could be a manager, you could be a dishwasher, it doesn't matter. The point is when you date people you work with, you put your entire personal life into your job which I think is wrong. I think your own personal life should be kept separate. It makes me sick seeing two co-workers have personal conversations with each other and have their arms around each like they are flaunting the fact that they are together. Dating has no place in your job. Plus, if you are having a fight or break up, it will mess up your job even more and you two could make asses out of yourself in front of everyone. Wouldn't it be weird to be forced to see your ex at work everyday and you guys are still forced to interact with each? That's what's going to happen when things don't go right. I think there are so much better places to meet people, in fact almost any other place is better. If I were a manager, I would never allow any co-workers to date.

So that's my opinion on the dating co-workers issue, what's your take on it.

I agree with you completely. If you want to pursue something with a co-worker every once in a while then that's probably fine, but it really annoys me if you are dating everyone in the office.

And on a side note, I used to be a big time Celtics fan until Ainge traded my favorite player TWICE. Come on now!

The old-school view was always "keep your tools in the toolbox and your toys in the toybox", some new studies seemed to indicate the dating co-workers increase worker satisfaction and loyalty. If the is a supervisory role involved it's a definite No-Go. Just remember NT women are going to talk about you and any subject is fair game to them.

I don't endorse dating a co-worker, however, I am not completely 100% against other people initiating a relationship with a co-worker.

I know two couple that met at the workplace, started a relationship, married and remain happily married. One couple is two gay men (they are legally married in Canada) and the other is a hetero couple and they are now married with two children.

An important note about each of these couples. They were in completely different departments when the relationship began (so they didn't work side by side or, when it is really an issue, in a superior/subordinate role). They also kept their relationship private until they were moving in together. They acknowledge each other at work, physical contact is kept to a bare minimum (a peck on the cheek to say goodbye if someone is leaving and the other's shift goes on longer). They do not discuss their personal life at work (and one couple admitted that they try to keep work issues out of their home life). In the case of these two couples - I have no problem with them having met at work.

In many women's magazines, professional magazines and work/career sections of newspapers, there are very good guidelines about how to go about the tricky situation of dating a co-worker. The actions of my workmates who dated and made this work is a good example of what these articles say.

Personally, I tend to get wrapped up in my relationships and would have trouble if there was a breakup. I like to compartmentalize my home life and my work life. Dating someone at work wouldn't be good for me (it's not an issue for me as I am married with a family of my own).

In answer to the survey - I stated that it is not a good idea - but I am certainly not dead set against it, along as it is done with ethics and tact.

I've never had a job, so I've never had this issue. I do understand the reasoning behind it. Having to see your ex every day for months or years after a breakup is bad, if it even gets that far. I mean existing couples can become entrepreneurs, but not the other way around.

That said, my uncle met his wife at work. They are now happily married. Given, my uncle is a genius and they met somewhat later in life.

I used to work for Radio Shack, a while ago. They had a policy about dating in the workplace. The policy stated something like you could only date a co-worker if they worked out of another store than the one you currently worked at. And, if two people started dating from the same store, they would transfer the other to another one. I thought that was both wise, and fair. Like other posters have pointed out, nobody wants to witness lover's spats, or PDAs in the workplace.

I'd avoid it at all costs. If you guys have a messy break-up you could lose your job.

It isn't something I would do.

It's not something I would do if I wasn't already in a committed relationship. My workplace has a policy that strongly discourages relationships between co-workers, where one person would have to be transferred to another location.

It could be good but it could be bad. Overall I'd say to avoid it for a few reasons. On the other hand, love knows no bounds!