Keeping it Professional: Global Poll Finds 58% Think an Office Romance Would Harm Their Career

When it comes to love and work, many say “I don’t” if they want to advance in their career. According to a global poll conducted by Monster 39% of respondents are opposed to office romances, saying that dating a colleague would harm their career and they would never start a romantic relationship at work. 27% of international respondents do not think an office romance would harm their career and would consider dating a colleague. A cavalier 19% believe that while an office romance would hurt their career, they would pursue a colleague anyway if there were a mutual attraction.

“The implications of dating a coworker are best examined on a case-by-case basis. Thoroughly understanding a company’s policies and culture is imperative,” said Mary Ellen Slayter, Career Advice Expert for Monster. “If you’re interested in pursuing a colleague, treading carefully is always the smart approach. An equally important factor: seniority. Dating between employees at the same company, when either one works for the other or is in a more senior position, can be very controversial and many companies prohibit it. No one should jeopardize a good job for a quick fling. But, if you develop a very special connection with a coworker, remember that exploring other career options is easy; true love is hard to find.”
Monster, the worldwide leader in successfully connecting people to job opportunities and flagship brand of Monster Worldwide, Inc. asked visitors to their site the question, “Do you think a dating a colleague would harm your career prospects and would you do it?” and received over 5,100 responses. International findings included:

• 39% of respondents answered “Yes harmful and I would never date a colleague”
• 19% of respondents answered “Yes harmful, but I would date a colleague anyway (especially if we were attracted to each other)”
• 15% of respondents answered “Not harmful, but I would never date a colleague”
• 27% of respondents answered “Not harmful and I would date a colleague”

Regional Statistics: Some Say “Ooh La La” Some Say “Let’s Just Be Friends”
Breaking down the numbers by region, respondents from the US were the most opposed to office romances. More than half (52%) believe office romances are harmful and would never consider dating a colleague. The US also has the lowest rate of “not harmful and I would date a colleague” answers, at only 18%. On the other end of the spectrum, French respondents upheld their country’s reputation for l’amour: 72% think an office romance would harm their career; but, if there was a mutual attraction, 49% would throw caution to the wind and pursue a colleague anyway (doubling the responses from Germany, a distant second place in reckless romanticism at 24%). Indian respondents are far more cautious- only 9% would pursue an office romance despite believing it would harm their career. Overall, respondents from EU countries are laidback about office romances- 35% believe they’re harmless and would date a colleague, and only 24% are wary of office romances and would not consider one.
The results of the current Monster Global Poll are based on votes cast by Monster visitors from: January 6-20, 2014. Only one vote per user is counted toward the final tabulation. The Monster Global poll, a product of Monster, the premier global online employment solution and flagship brand of Monster Worldwide, Inc., is a series of online polls that gauge users’ opinions on a variety of topics relating to careers, the economy and the workplace. These polls are not scientific and reflect the opinions of only those Internet users who have chosen to participate.
For tips on handling delicate workplace issues, please visit: MonsterWorking.com.