An Office Romance Can Be Detrimental to Your Career
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How to Keep Your Office Romance on a Professional Level
“The best advice I can give regarding office affairs is to avoid them, altogether, since the risks greatly outweigh the rewards,” says Ruth Houston. “If you’re currently involved in a office romance, or you’re tempted to become involved in one despite my warnings, the guidelines below will help you keep things on a professional level.”
• Know your company’s policy regarding office romance.
• Never get involved with someone in your direct chain of command.
• Confine your romantic attachments to someone who is a peer, rather than someone above or below you in rank.
• Never get involved with in an office affair if either of you are married.
• Never underestimate the power of the office grapevine. Try to keep your office romance a secret, if you can.
• Keep it low key – don’t flaunt the fact that the two of you are romantically involved.
• Avoid public displays of affection – it’s highly unprofessional.
• Don’t gossip about your love life.
• Do not exchange embarrassing or ostentatious flowers, cards or gifts. (Small , discreet, tasteful gifts are okay.)
• Do not allow your office romance to interfere with productivity – yours, your partner’s or your coworkers.
• Do not use company e-mail to send passionate or suggestive love notes to each other.
• Do not leave X-rated voice mails on each other’s phones.
• Don’t show or request favoritism regarding work assignments, raises, promotions or company perks.
• Do not use company funds to entertain your partner.
• Refrain from overt sexual behavior on the job.
• Never engage in sex on company property. (That includes stair wells, supply closets and company parking lots.)
• Have a back-up career plan in case things take a negative turn. Be prepared to find another job.
© 2005 Ruth Houston
To learn more about Ruth Houston’s book, sign up for her infidelity newsletter, or receive a FREE tip sheet describing the 21 Categories of Telltale Signs and the number of signs in each category, visit http://www.Is-He-Cheating-On-You.com or send an e-mail to InfidelityInfo@gmail.com with the words "Telltale Signs" in the subject line. To interview Ruth Houston, please call her at 718 592-6039.
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