7 common questions about workplace romance | The Way We Work, a TED series

Should you date your coworker? Should workplace couples keep their relationships secret? And why are coworkers so often attracted to each other? Organizational psychologist Amy Nicole Baker shares the real answers to commonly asked questions about romance at the office.

The Way We Work is a TED original video series where leaders and thinkers offer practical wisdom and insight into how we can adapt and thrive amid changing workplace conventions.

[mr.personhumanson]

Don't date your co-worker when you're self-employed in a family run company

[toneman]

Never forget that couples seeing each other at the workplace is always known and noted by everyone else working there. It is never a secret. Once one person figures it out then the word spreads like a wild fire.

[warmccl]

I dated my coworker and after a year we were married. Best 9 years of my life so far. She is my best friend. But this situation is rare and don't always work out.

[HumansOfVR]

*Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind*

[smoothfrequency]

To answer her question. "How do you make sure people are valued and respected"? Simply show them value and respect through recognition.

[alanbourbeau]

There’s going to be pros and cons of workplace romance. I remember when I was working at pharmacy store, Rite Aid. And I met this woman who worked in the pharmacy area. I tried to develop a workplace relationship with her. She was almost interested in me. But then the regional manager found out and said that if I really did have a relationship with her, she or I would have to be transferred to a different location. So one day, I came to my senses and realizing that having a relationship with a pharmacy employee wasn’t a good idea. So I told her that the answer was no. And how did she take it? She took it well and understood what I was saying and respected me.

[baronobeefdip]

My parents meet each other at work. The marriage has a very strange dynamic but it's not falling apart anytime soon

[maemae]

Jim and Pam, Dwight and Angela and the best one: Kelly and Ryan

[soonny]

3:49 Applies to me a lot. Flirting rarely happens during working hours, but I tend to stay late at work because I just have so much work to do I can't finish it during work hours. I usually keep my office door closed and lights down to give people the impression that I'm not in my office, just so I can finish work uninterrupted.


Otherwise... one or two male co-workers just walks into my office and starts flirting. Sigh... It's 6pm in the evening, and I just want to go home!!

[dariusduesentrieb]

Just watch The Office. Everything you need to know.

[mesaprime]

Cant fall in love if all the workers are robots

[WWEENETWORK]

DONT DIP YOUR PEN IN COMPANY school but still in play. DONT DO IT...

[sudhirpatel]

If their relationship is getting in the way of work then it should be discouraged, otherwise no, and if the relationship makes people happier and more productive than even better. And when the relationship ends somebody has to be fired, or both, or separated if the company has many locations.

[aisbandicoot]

The amount of people yelling "me too" in the comments makes it clear to me just how few people realise the difference between harmless flirting and unwanted sexual advances.

[shankardas]

Never date a coworker unless there is love

[driverg]

Love is more important than work disadvantages, so in case you end up dating your boss and it goes badly, you can go work somewhere else, but if you really feel your boss is the love of your life, you might try and go for it, but I do agree that the stakes are high if you do & it goes wrong, it helps to have alternatives in mind

[thefranchise]

I always tell women no at my job, i'm just there for my money.

[hoangphamthien]

Workplace romance in serious manner without an intentional marriage generally leaves really negative if not toxic feeling for both sides for a long time period. It looked good and attempting in the beginning but in the end it costs you deadly in term of time and efforts, which should have been used for a serious search of partners to marry or for career development .

[meghnaths]

When I texted my office crush through whatsapp group she reported it to HR. Be careful.

[Ghostrider-ulxn]

Back in the day before dating apps, this was how a large percentage of people met their partners. Now, since women have the freedom of choice to swipe right on anyone they want on dating apps, flirting in workplace from someone that they don't want attention from can quickly become sexual harrassment.