While most Malaysians feel there isn't anything wrong with two single colleagues dating each other, they are wary of the repercussions if the relationship doesn't work out. Photo: Pixabay
Some people believe that you shouldn’t mix work with romance. But there have been many tales of couples who met at the workplace and have worked it out without letting romance get in the way of work (or vice versa). Here’s what Malaysians have to say about dating a co-worker.
Movies like Bridget Jones’ Diary have given office romances a bad name. But it’s not always as bad or as complicated as people think. Sometimes, it’s just two unattached people who meet and like each other, and they happen to work in the same office.
Dating a co-worker? I think there is nothing wrong with it as long as neither is married or attached, and it doesn’t interfere with their work.
It depends what you mean by “office romance”. There are those secretive and scandalous ones – like those which have been sensationalised in movies and the media. Then there are those legitimate relationships that blossom between two single people who work together.
If office romance refers to a fling where they are having an affair, or trying to use someone in a higher position to leverage their way up the corporate ladder, or for any other wrong purposes, then it’s obviously wrong.
Even if it’s a legit relationship, what happens if it fails? How will they feel if they have to see the person everyday at work? Ultimately, one person has to remove themselves voluntarily from the workplace or move to another department.
Isn’t it natural to grow close to someone if you work closely together, and have similar values, interests and goals in life? You may find that the more you get to know them, the more you may feel attracted to them. I think similarity and familiarity increases liking.
In principle, I suppose there isn’t anything wrong if two colleagues who are single and available fall for each other. But I think there might be issues later depending on the situation, such as conflict of interest or if there is a power struggle or power dependency when one of them holds a higher position and differential treatment happens.
