What Goes on ‘Across Open Floors’
Three quarters of UK workers would keep a workplace relationship secret
How many of us are up for dating a colleague? What happens when passion mixes with paperwork? Do we keep it a secret, or circulate a memo?
The UK workforce has become more accepting than ever of workplace relationships as a staple of working life. However, new research from totaljobs suggests whilst workers are increasingly comfortable with the idea of dating a colleague, there remains a real reluctance to discuss the fact within the modern workplace.
Martin Talbot, Group Marketing Director, at totaljobs, said: “Workplace relationships are a part of working life across the country, and our research reveals that many are making it work for them. Despite this, a real culture of silence still exists around disclosing and discussing them with peers.
Explaining who you are seeing can give you control over the situation, as word will likely get out anyway. If your new partner is your manager or directly responsible for your salary or performance reviews, speak to your HR manager sooner rather than later, in case some reshuffling of responsibilities is required.”
Today’s research spoke to 5,795 workers in the country and looked to explore the current state of workplace relationships across the UK.
The findings of the research found that while two-thirds of workers had either dated, or would consider dating a colleague, over three quarters (76%) of workers choose to keep quiet about their workplace relationships.
Why Love Works
Longer working hours, constant communications both in and out of the workplace and numerous social events are all drivers in growing acceptance of workplace relationships as a social norm.
Today’s figures showed that more than one in five met their partner through work, more so than through friends, online dating or the traditional bar or club.
Despite the rise of dating apps, the workplace still appears to be the environment within which the majority of Brits are finding love.
This is reflected in UK workers’ attitudes towards relationships at work. Two thirds of workers have either dated a colleague or would consider it, compared to a third who would completely rule it out.
There are multiple reasons a large proportion of workers would never consider it, but 50% of those who say never means never, simply believe work and romance don’t mix.
On the other hand, while the majority of UK workers accept the prospect of a workplace romance, they are far less eager to discuss these relationships with others. This can be largely attributed to additional difficulties faced in a working environment due to the relationship. Over half of those dating a colleague experienced workplace gossip, while 60% felt that being in a relationship meant they needed to act even more professional in the workplace.
These challenges appear to create a sense of stigma around workplace relationships and add to the reluctance to disclose romances, despite the vast majority of workers being comfortable with them.
Making It Work
Despite some of the challenges that arise through workplace relationships, much of working life remains the same despite the romance, allowing colleague relationships to grow and last in a working environment.
The vast majority of workers felt others didn’t question the reasons for their career progression, despite their relationship. With promotion and progression playing a major role in working life, this is key to allowing relationships to exist outside of the working cycle itself.
Other factors also largely remain the same; over half didn’t find booking holidays any more difficult, and just under two-thirds didn’t find it difficult to maintain personal space and have that ‘me time’.
However, the research reveals a gender gap when it comes to facing the obstacles that a workplace relationship may bring, particularly if the relationship is with someone more senior. Especially women felt being in a relationship with their manager affected promotion opportunities.
Working It Out
Naturally, not all workplace relationships work out despite the good intentions. However, what is important is how it affects the future working relationship.
While a third thought a break-up would negatively affect workplace dynamics, only 1 in 7 would consider quitting their job over it. Nearly half said working together killed the romance. Ultimately, the research revealed work is more likely to hurt the relationship, as opposed to the relationship getting in the way of work.
Colleagues are largely accepting and supporting of relationships, and important aspects of work such as progression are mostly not affected, suggesting a healthy relationship is actually conducive in many ways to work, it is the social aspects such as gossip and jealousy from the minority which affect a relationship in the end.
Read more about how love works here!