‘Love at first sight’: Key to office romance success revealed

Forget online dating apps, your next love could be closer than you think. See how to make an office romance work.

Chantel Blake and Jackson Croft. Picture: Emily Howlett

If you’re still looking for love this Valentine’s Day, it might be time to forget the online dating apps and start looking around the office.

From stolen moments at the lobby cafe to loaded looks by the printer, romance is flourishing as 75 per cent of Australians believe true love is possible in the workplace.

And more than half of us have confessed we’ve had a crush on a colleague and 39 per cent have dated a co-worker, according to global hiring platform Indeed. But more surprisingly, one in six office romances have ended in marriage.

With work-from-home orders scrapped, office workers are once again hot for love, according to Indeed’s workplace psychologist Amanda Gordon.

About 75 per cent of Australians believe true love is possible in the workplace.

“Opportunities for meeting people were reduced by the pandemic, so there are a lot of people ready for romance … and (they’re) hoping it might be available in the workplace,” she says.

“What we can tell from the research is that office romances are frequent and often enduring.”

Of course, there can also be downsides to meeting someone in the office fishbowl. We asked experts to explore the good and the bad.

TELL, OR NOT TO TELL

That is the question, with a third of couples admitting they’ve kept their workplace relationship under wraps and never told their employer about it.

Another third believe that it created unnecessary gossip and distraction, and 56 per cent of those who have dated a colleague agreed that working together added a layer of complication to the relationship.

“You have to remain professional at work and be able to switch off when it’s personal time,” Gordon says.

“There’s the chance that others may observe and make judgments. In some cases, there could be a power imbalance that needs to be respected. Signals could also be misinterpreted.”

Indeed workplace psychologist Amanda Gordon.

Despite the pitfalls, 41 per cent stated that once they disclosed an office romance, their employer was supportive, and 32 per cent were able to be open about it.

Karen Gately, HR specialist and founder of Corporate Dojo, says those who pursue a workplace romance need to understand it can have significant consequences.

“Whether an innocent crush or passion-fuelled love, the decisions we make about pursuing love at work can impact our lives for the better or worse for many years to come,” she says.

Chantel Blake and Jackson Croft found true love at work. Picture: Emily Howlett

MAKING IT WORK

Gordon says there can be benefits to an office romance, such as “slowly getting to know someone over time, seeing them interacting with others, and experiencing them in a team as well as individually”.

“There’s an opportunity to meet, have lunch and chat without the pressure of a date,” she says.

Before pursuing a relationship at work, make sure that you are across the company’s HR policies, psychotherapist and relationship counsellor Melissa Ferrari says.

“It’s perfectly healthy for people who work together to date. It’s important you do so with eyes wide open and be aware of the impact that it may have on your careers,” Ferrari says.

Melissa Ferrari, relationship expert and couples counsellor.

“If it is love and heading into the long-term, ensure that the relationship always comes first, which may mean making a sacrifice on your career for it to succeed.”

Chantel Blake and Jackson Croft say working together enables them to see more of each other and build a solid relationship.

The couple, now engaged, were initially concerned about dating each other.

“Everyone told us we were crazy and that it wouldn’t last. Here we are two years later planning our future,” Blake says.

“Jackson was the first person I met at the company when I had to pick up my laptop. We clicked instantly. It was love at first sight.”

Karen Gately, HR specialist and founder of Corporate Dojo.

ROMANCE RULES

If you are in a romantic relationship at work or thinking about it, there are a few things to keep in mind:

● Be discreet: No one wants to have to put up with a couple flirting or bickering at work. No matter how cute or amazing you think your partner is, remember your colleagues probably don’t want to hear about it every time they walk past your desk.

● Understand workplace laws: Sexual harassment is an unwanted behaviour which makes a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated. Read the signals your romantic interest sends about their interest in you and a relationship.

● Is the relationship important? If you’re just looking for a good time, make sure the person you get involved with understands that. Leaving a trail of broken hearts and trust in your wake is unlikely to do anything good for your career.

Source: Karen Gately, HR specialist and founder of Corporate Dojo

Originally published as ‘Love at first sight’: Key to office romance success revealed