People who have known office romance or office dating describe it as a game where two lovers communicate their subtle interests until they become united through an informal or formal ceremony. Some companies frown upon love team workers. Companies that are buttoned-up tend to have stricter policies while media and IT companies are lax about office romance. Whatever your reasons for dating a coworker, it will help if you’re aware of what may go wrong if you spilt the beans or work while in a thorny relationship.
 

Pros: The positive side

• A dating opportunity - It can provide another opportunity for meeting a potential boyfriend or girlfriend. So, here you can add an office to find your Mr.Right or Miss Right.
   
• Increased motivation/productivity - Seeing your lover every day can boost your motivation. It makes you feel zealous to work even during pressured and boring times. Who doesn’t want to see his/her crush daily? Now, being with your crush buddy can make a good vibe and thus make you want to stay in an office for long hours.
   
• Your soulmate could be your working colleague - Successful office romances can lead to lifetime partners that work together towards the company’s goal and that can be a powerful team. Shared or related interests can unite couples - Mr. A is a web developer and Miss B is a graphic designer and vice versa.

Cons: What could go wrong in an office romance

The reason why some companies frown upon office romance is that dating between coworkers can affect performance and productivity. Things can go wrong if you and your love flame’s relationship break apart. 

• Stalking - Stalking refers to the repeated surveillance of one person to another person or group. If he/she consistently follows and watches you daily before and after working hours, and his/her behaviour makes you uncomfortable then that’s stalking. Stalking is one of the results of ongoing or failed relationships.
   
• Breakups and broken heart - Seeing your ex daily at work after a fresh break up and even after months of a failed relationship is a tough experience. Yes, it’s awkward and it can quickly lose your work motivation as fast as a battery loses its charge. If you’re some sort of a guy or gal used to handle rejections then you can still survive the emotional storm while working towards your organization’s goal.
   
• Favouritism - Your colleagues may perceive you as having favouritism whether he/she is a coworker, a subordinate or boss.  Favouritism can lead to issues such as office politics and back fighting such as manager - subordinate relationships.
   
• Gossips - Even if it's kept secret, someone who could be your friend, a workmate or neighbour may reveal it.
   
• Decreased productivity - Have you experienced being heartbroken? Being in that situation affects the same part of the brain during physical pain (being stung by a bee or pricked by a needle). According to medicalnewstoday - the same areas of the brain are affected in the presence of emotional and physical pain. Getting rejected could affect your self-esteem or self-worth and that could result in decreased productivity. Even if you try to mask it with liquor or any mantra while on your duty, the emotional pain of losing your love interest will always resonate in your head before, during and after your work.
   
• Distraction - Yes, you got involved with a potential Mr. or Ms. Right and that means you may do some flirtations such as exchanging emoticons and emails. If your company is liberal with such policies then it could zap some minutes of your productivity. 

Workplace Romance: A sample survey

The Society For Human Resource Management made a survey of (2013) detailing organization/company response, types of office romance and the action taken by the organization. Here is a detailed survey.

Source: SHRM. (2020). Workplace Romance. [online]

The SHRM revealed that employers got stricter regarding office romance policies as seen in the increasing percentage of bar graphs from the year 2001. Breaking such policy could result in counselling, written reprimand, termination, removal from the position, transfer to another department, and suspension. 

Why do some companies forbid workplace romance?

While many companies are lax with regard to office romances, there are other companies who are strict. The reasons are:

• Perceived favouritism among co-workers
• Possible sexual harassment claims
• Possible legal action against the company
• Retaliation resulting from a failed relationship
• Decreased morale due to heart-breaks
• Possible leakage of confidential info such as trade secrets, recipes, salaries, list of vendors and business practices. 

What to do when you’re involved in an office romance

1. Ask human resources - Ask an HR personnel or supervisor regarding the company’s policy. Is the company lax or against it? And if they forbid workplace romance, what are the consequences? If your organization has no qualms against your romantic overtures, then it’s Ok. Dating is a mind game where both parties express signals that could mean interest or not and those mind games can linger in your mind for days and months.

2. Keep it discreet - If you’re currently involved or eyeing someone for romantic movies, keep it secret or discreet or make sure that the person who knows your love affair is a trusted friend and not a blabbermouth and avoid displaying public display of affection (PDA). Take advantage of technology but be careful of using social media because posts can reach anyone.

3. Show your romantic interest during off-office hours - You can still keep your darling interested by dating during day-offs and leaves. If you want to communicate your interest to your co-worker, make it discreet as much as possible. 

4. Be ready for breakup or rejection - Whether you are a party involved in dating or someone wooing a girl or boy, be ready how to handle rejection and breakup because dating will not always end up as you wanted. Factors such as third party, temperament, personality, and the economy are life facts that affect the dating game.

5. Maintain professionalism - Maintaining professionalism means still following the company’s policies and being in cordial relationships, even recent break-up. It’s leaving your emotional baggage behind while still showing up to perform duties.
    

Office romance: Should I take part in it?

Dating someone in your team or your coworkers may or might carry risks depending on your company’s policy, culture and size. Risks refer to the possibility of sabotaging your job/career or affecting your concentration and performance. In the Philippines, rules on office romance can be vague as rules vary although the Filipino culture and society tolerate workplace romance.
If your company is lax about office dating then you may go ahead in finding your possible fiancé. But if your company is strict and forbids office romance, then you can be discrete or stick with that policy.  Whether a company is lax or strict about romances - a workplace is always a place where people expect a level of decency (no hookup at office). Being professional at all times can save your time and day.