10 Reasons Dating Your Coworker Is A Terrible Idea
Look, we’ve all been there. He’s hot, you’re hot, you have a library of inside jokes together, so why not go for it? Well, there are a lot of reasons to hold off on heading back to his place for drinks after work. Here are 10 reasons dating your coworker is a terrible idea.
1. Your Job Might Have A Policy Against It
A lot of companies have rules against dating your coworker because they, like me, understand that it is not a good idea. Not for business, at least. Regardless of their reasons, if there’s a policy about it, you should heed it. No guy is worth the hassle of dealing with HR.
2. You Have To See Each Other Every Day
I know, in the beginning, this sounds like you’ve hit the jackpot. Ever day with your man? #Goals. But not really. Separation is vital to the survival of the relationship. You have to have your own lives. When you screw up at home, you need to be able to go somewhere and complain about it. And if something bad happens at work, odds are he already knows. Say goodbye to those end-of-day vent sessions.
3. When Your Relationship Suffers, Your Work Suffers
Whether you love your job or hate it, you probably need it. You can’t have Dave from Accounting shooting you daggers across the office because you ate the last slice of pizza last night when you’re trying to prep for a huge meeting. You need to be able to leave personal drama at home and you can’t do that if you’re dating your coworker.
4. He’ll Distract You From Your Job
Yes, he’s so cute when he’s focusing on crunching those May numbers, but you know what you should be doing instead of staring at him? Your job. You think you can look over for a quick glance and next thing you know, you’ve zoned out for the next thirty minutes imagining what your children will look like. Now, you’re behind schedule.
5. Workplace Competition Is A thing And It’s Going To Hurt Your Relationship
Whether you’re fighting to meet sales or fighting for a promotion you both are up for, odds are, the company is going to have y’all pitted against each other at some point. Next thing you know, he’s not talking to you because you beat him out for that huge promotion even though you won it fair and square and he swears that’s not why.
6. People Might Think You’re Getting Special Privileges
If he’s above you in the office, this can get out hand really fast. Especially if you start performing really well and getting open recognition for it. I’m not saying you aren’t earning that kind of attention; I’m just saying your coworkers might feel that you’re getting special privileges. Or vice versa if you’re above him. All in all, dating your coworker is especially messy if either of you is in an authority position over the other.
7. Nothing Is Private Anymore
And I don’t mean between the two of you. I mean between y’all and the entire office. Sooner or later everyone is going to hear all the dirty details about your lives together. Whether it’s what he’s like in bed or the fact that he still refuses to meet your parents, the little things that aren’t anyone’s business will get out.
8. You’ll End Up Spending More Time Getting Ready In The Morning
This is especially true during the beginning. You’re going to constantly worry about if you look good because you still are trying to impress him. Thus, no more lazy-work-day outfits and messy buns to power through a long week at the office. It’s effort. Every day.
9. If Y’all Break Up, You Still Have To See Them Every Day
Sure, you’re not planning on ending things any time soon. In fact, you’re probably imagining a bright future for y’all. But, if we’re being honest, not all relationships work out. Even the good ones. If this one ends too, there’s no clean break. He’s still there. Every day. A constant reminder of what was. And no one needs that kind of negativity in their life.
10. You Actually Aren’t All That Into Him
Let’s be honest here. You spend 40 hours a week with the guy. At some point, he starts to grow on you. You start to think those slightly offensive jokes are kind of funny and that hairline isn’t all too far back. But if you met him at a bar, you probably wouldn’t give him the time of day. Now, you’re in deep with the guy and those feelings have wore off. Turns out, you were just bored, he is balding, and there’s no easy way out of this. Dating is fun, but it gets real complicated real fast when you bring it into the workplace. So just don’t, okay? Save yourself a whole lot of trouble and a whole lot of heartache and put the phone down.
