From the course: Navigating Awkward Situations at Work

Office romance

From the course: Navigating Awkward Situations at Work

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Office romance

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- According to a recent CareerBuilder survey, 39% of workers have dated a colleague at some point in their career and 30% of those people went on to marry their coworker. And that usually starts with asking someone out on a date. Your company probably has rules about dating coworkers. Make sure you know them before you go asking people on dates or before you go accepting date offers. But what happens when it's totally fine to date coworkers? Someone asks you out, and you don't wanna go. You know saying yes and then breaking it off is going to be even more awkward, so what do you do? First, be kind. It probably took a lot of nerve to ask you out. Say something like I'm flattered. Then be clear. I'm busy this weekend buys you one weekend before they ask again. And finally, verify the relationship you do have. If your coworkers are even friends, that relationship still matters. Watch how I kindly reject Jeff when he asks me on a date. Okay, cool, thanks. - All right, great. Elizabeth, I was wondering if you wanted to go out on a date some time? - Thanks, Jeff, I'm really flattered and you know I really like working with you but I'd rather just remain colleagues. - Okay, cool. - It might feel uncomfortable but it's even more uncomfortable down the road when you've been stringing someone along for a few months. And if you were the one asking someone else out, and they said no, that's the end of it. Accept that and don't keep asking. Saying something like I don't want working together to be weird, I totally respect your decision can make that other person feel more at ease. Work is awkward and dating is awkward and when the two things come together, things get weird. Do everyone the favor of being clear and respectful.

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