How To Date A Co-Worker

Is it illegal to date a co-worker? No, but it can get complicated quickly, especially if things don’t go as planned. If you’re currently in that dreamy, “what if” phase about the attractive co-worker a couple of cubicles away, it’s worth seriously weighing the pros and cons before acting on it. Will this relationship genuinely add something positive to your life, or could it turn into an HR issue waiting to happen? So, if you’re wondering “should I date my co-worker?” and need a little help separating fantasy from reality, here are some expert-backed insights to consider.

Should I date my co-worker? Separate fantasy from reality.

In an interview with Vice published April 26, relationship expert and RedPeach foundation founder Marco Calley stressed the importance of understanding the root of your feelings. Are you truly interested in this person, or is your attraction simply the result of being around them so often?

“Separate reality and proximity from the ‘intimacy’ your mind has created,” says Marco Cally, founder of RedPeach. “Focus on what has really been said, not the hidden meaning you have built from it.”

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Many workplace crushes develop because people spend a large portion of their week together. Proximity, and even shared stress, which is common in work environments, can create a sense of connection between people who might not otherwise be drawn to each other.

“The ‘mere exposure effect’ is a psychological phenomenon that shows people like something more, simply by encountering it regularly,” Cally explains. “Studies have shown that it takes as little as 15 encounters to reach the full potential; this suggests that a co-worker can grow on you after 3 weeks in the…