Professional career minded employees do not date their
co-workers in small offices, or small companies. Most small businesses are
privately owned and located in small towns to large cities. So the location and
numbers of employees varies depending also on what type of company.
In large businesses with many floors one might speculate the
risk is better. And what do I mean by risk---exactly that---one faces many perils
in dating a co-worker in a small business environment. So, given more space
between their workplace areas on different floors is better for both.
Never date
your Boss; this is a big taboo---it is like jumping off a career cliff---one
might land in the unemployment line. And, this means in a small or large
business in small town or big city---it is a bad idea.
This is your
decision of course and I am not one who will stand in the way of true love,
however, I can share with you my knowledge and experience of what happens in
small and large companies on this subject.
We will for
the sake of anonymity name this person Helen. Helen’s resume’ showed her as a
very skilled legal secretary and she spoke four languages. A head hunter hired Helen from another firm to
work in a larger one. Her immediate Boss and his wife had separated, which was
something Helen did not know and did not seem to want to know anything personal
about anyone in the legal corporation.
Being new
some of the women invited her out after work for a drink to find out as much
about her as possible. They were not labeled as the office gossips; but it
never hurt to know your competition in business. Especially, since she was
working for a very handsome attorney who was a full partner in the firm.
Helen was a
very attractive career minded person and was one who never gossiped or share
much about herself. Then as the weeks flew by Helen was working late with her
Boss almost every night. Well, if that was not enough for the office gossip,
Helen accepted a few dates on several weekends with an attorney from her old
firm.
We will call
him Jake, and to prove the truth is more twisted sometimes than fiction. Jake
was good friends with Helen’s Boss’ wife---they grew up in the same
neighborhood. Well, we know how people talk sometimes who wants to brag a
little. It seems he was bragging to Helen’s Boss’ wife about her husband’s
beautiful legal secretary---however, he did not add he was dating Helen.
Long story
short---Helen’s Boss and his wife went back together and his wife insisted that
her husband get another secretary. So Helen was temporarily out of a job, but
she obtained a good reference from her Boss who let his wife dictate to him
about whom should work for him.
So, all of
Helen’s dedication at the firm did not matter now, because her Boss terminated
her and it was not her fault. She had worked less than 90 days. Helen got to
the bottom of what happened and obtained her own attorney and sued for
everything she lost in her future benefits and stock options, since she signed
a contract for a year. This taught her a lesson in savvy dating even in the
same field as one’s Boss, because the results proved the same as dating in a
small office.
I share this
with all the career women who might not stop and survey the lay of the
land---this is very important to know where you stand and to look ahead for any
issues. Make sure you protect yourself as well as your career when dealing with
small and larger businesses. And, never gossip with anyone---walk a straight
line to secure the least amount of work related issues.
If one is contemplating dating a co-worker first make sure it is not against the company rules. Check the “Employee’s Handbook” and then check with Human-Resources. Dating at work is a big issue one needs to to really think about all the positives and negatives before making the decision. After doing your due-diligence and feeling comfortable about it---I wish you the very best.
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