Most of us interact with our co-workers on a daily basis, its what helps us get through the day. Most employers go to
great lengths to promote the "team", some thousands of dollars on retreats and seminars and the like.
Basically, to them a group of cooperative, resourceful employees all working together is as valued as good advertising. And no
wonder, without it their business would fare well. Picture a workplace populated only by the characters of the show
"Family Guy". How successful do you think this business would be? One of the biggest problems employers face is
the romantic relationships among their employees.
Some company’s even ban such relationships. Do you think it matters much? I’ve always thought that when two people
"spark" the rules of the company mean little. At least it has with me. However, people get fired, sued and accused
of misbehavior all the time in virtually every company.
Sexual harassment has become a major topic in today job market, and its all about one thing. The harrasee's
opinion of what harassment is. That’s it, an opinion. The perception that one is being put down, embarrassed of
manipulated with a sexual pretext. Not a very hard-drawn line in my opinion. But, sexual harassment is a problem as
well as relationships among co-workers, often the latter magically transforming into the former.
Keeping a respectable distance from the lives of your peers at work is the key. How you present yourself to them will directly
influence how they respond towards you. If you show interest in their life away from work, and start developing a
relationship, emotions and insecurities will soon start influencing your interactions, and the main problem will be
the fact that neither of you will be aware of it.
Our thoughts are modified by our feelings all the time and when that happens it seems everybody sees it but us. Be
friendly but not overtly open, avoid pet names and personal e-mails with co-workers. Always keep in mind the
fact that they will respond to how you associate with them. I’m not saying having friends at work will get you fired,
im just demonstrating how sometimes over-friendliness can be Detrimental to your success.