Office romance, two words that rarely miss in the daily office gossip memo. The key questions that raise eyebrows and boggle minds: Is office romance really worth the hype? Can you really find love in the workplace? Do the risks outweigh the benefits? What if you're attracted to the boss?
Though some people actually think of their workmates as a potential love interest and actually engage in a deliberate pursuit of them this isn't the case for most people. Sometimes it just occurs organically due to the long working hours together, sexual tensions build up and without any fault of their own, there is a spark between them.
What makes these feelings uncontrollable is the fact that they try to hold them back and act professionally. However, this aspect of forbidden love just makes the feelings build up to insurmountable levels. Romance is never about being professional since its personal- romantic decisions don't subscribe to any rational thought chain rather they are blurred by emotions.
There are several risks that one must assess with a level head especially if your love interest is your immediate boss. First is obvious, your coworkers will definitely find out one way or another. The workplace can become unbearable with frequent gossips about you and get very uncomfortable. Every manoeuvre you make will be under thorough scrutiny and all promotions will be considered a sexual favour no matter how deserving you were.
Secondly, romance with your boss or any other workmate will definitely make the workplace awkward. Especially if both of you are working within the same department, working on joint projects or competing for the same promotion.
Thirdly, there's also the additional duress of separating your love life from your work life. Especially if the working relationship is one of a boss and an employee. The lines between professionalism and romance might be blurred.
Lastly, there's the risk of being found out and losing your job as well as your hard earned reputation. All that can easily go down the drain for a relationship that might only be a temporary fling.