Office romances: when love appears at work

Office romances are common. In fact, we could say that an important part of relationships begins in work environments. What’s more, it is estimated that in work settings around 40% of employees have felt some type of emotional or sexual attraction towards a co-worker.

The reason for this is logical: we spend a good part of our lives in these small spaces, and it is almost inevitable that we develop a certain desire for someone in particular. After all, as many relationship theories point out, it is common to fall in love with someone we see frequently and who is familiar to us.

Now, beyond this very frequent reality, there are other variables of interest. Many of these romances, for example, give way to more than one infidelity.. That is, there are employees who already have a previous relationship, but who end up cheating on their partners with those co-workers. A whole classic.

It is an interesting topic and one that is influenced by a good assortment of variables that are worth analyzing.

Many office romances bring with them a great deal of gossip and rumors from co-workers.

Office romances, a reality more complex than we believe

When we talk about office romances, we can almost instantly visualize any low-budget romantic movie that’s on TV on the weekends. We evoke, without a doubt, something idyllic and with a happy resolution. However, These types of relationships that originate in work environments are not, in all cases, satisfactory experiences. for the protagonists.

It is true that many couples have been formed in these contexts, and have built a happy and satisfied life. Now, it is interesting to know that These types of situations can give rise to conflicts, rumors and experiences with a lot of friction. All of this can cause very problematic dynamics in the work environment of any organization.

This explains why some companies apply “anti-fraternization” policies to prevent this from happening. Obviously, there are those who consider it unethical and logical. After all, as psychologist Madeleine A. Fugere, author of the work, points out The social psychology of attraction and romantic relationships, we spend a third of our lives at work. Physical proximity and familiarity intensify attraction, and this is something that cannot be avoided.

Office romances will always exist, and these are the events that usually accompany them.

Real attractions versus hidden interests

There are real crushes in work environments. They are those guided by a palpable and intense attraction and infatuation. However, There are also deceptive relationships that are motivated exclusively by professional benefits.

There are men and women who seek to captivate different figures, whether they are co-workers or senior officials, for ambitious and selfish purposes.

The challenge of dealing with coworkers’ perceptions/gossip

Many office romances do not go unnoticed by other colleagues. Suddenly, one can become the focus of all the gossip and comments because of that. affair with someone from work. There will be times when it is dealt with easily and without any problems, but it can also give way to a complex and uncomfortable dynamic.

Research from DePaul University in Chicago highlights something interesting. Colleagues who date someone with a higher position are seen as less trustworthy and likable. Furthermore, they are often accused of favoritism. Any situation in which they achieve an achievement compared to others will be justified by that relationship.

Falling in love with someone at work is common, since we share time, similarities and familiarity.

When similarity and proximity break relationships and create new ones

There is something really common: falling in love or feeling attracted to someone at work when we already have a stable partner. The fact that this happens is high voltage, because it puts our original relationship at risk, it shakes our foundations and we end up in emotional chaos. However, few experiences are more recurrent.

Because not only are we with the same people every day, but we often Bonds of familiarity and authentic intimacy are created. Not to mention that we share time with people with whom there are many similarities on a professional and personal level. They experience the same anecdotes, the same challenging situations and even similar responsibilities.

Familiarity unites, similarity attracts, confidences build spaces of refuge between two, and if physical attraction also appears, alchemy is more than conducive to the emergence of desire and even love. Therefore, There are many times when we are forced to make serious decisions about our emotional life, and this is never easy.

We could also talk about some uncomfortable experiences, such as the fact of ending a relationship with a co-worker and having to share time and space with that figure. The emotional burden can be disturbing on all levels.

To conclude, office relationships are not always fairy tales. Sometimes they can turn into real nightmares.

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