Most of us interact with our co-workers on a daily basis, its what helps us get through the day. Most employers go to great lengths to promote the "team", some thousands of dollars on retreats and seminars and the like. Basically, to them a group of cooperative, resourceful employees all working together is as valued as good advertising. And no wonder, without it their business would fare well. Picture a workplace populated only by the characters of the show "Family Guy". How succsessful do you think this business would be? One of the biggest problems employers face is the romantic relationships among their employees. Some companys even ban such relationships. Do you think it matters much? Ive always thought that when two people "spark" the rules of the company mean little. At least it has with me. However, people get fired, sued and accused of misbehavior all the time in virtually every company. Sexual harrasment has become a major topic in today job market, and its all about one thing. The harrasee's opinion of what harrasment is. Thats it, an opinion. The perception that one is being put down, embarrased of manipulated with a sexual pretext. Not a very hard-drawn line in my opinion. But, sexual harrasment is a problem as well as relationships among co-workers, often the latter magically transforming into the former. Keeping a respectable distance from the lifes of your peers at work is the key. How you present yourself to them will directally influence how they respond towards you. If you show intrest in their life away from work, and start developing a relationship, emotions and insecurites will soon start influencing your enteractions, and the main problem will be the fact that neither of you will be aware of it. Our thoughts are modified by our feelings all the time and when that happens it seems everybody see's it but us. Be friendly but not overtally open, avoid pet names and personal e-mails with co-workers. Always keep in mind the fact that they will respond to how you assotiate with them. Im not saying having friends at work will get you fired, im just demonstrating how sometimes over-friendliness can be detramental to your succsess. |
