When it comes to romance and work, many say ‘”I don’t” if they want to advance in their career. According to a global poll conducted by Monster.com, 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. Almost 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 is mutual attraction.
“The implications of dating a co-worker 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 is 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 co-worker, remember that exploring other career options is easy; true love is hard to find.”
Sanjay Modi, Managing Director, Monster.com – India/Middle East/ Southeast Asia added, “Indians are conservatives when it comes to emotions such as love. Career on the other hand makes a large part of a person’s social standing. Especially so for men! In view of that, classically an Indian chooses career over a casual fling but having said that there are examples of many Indians finding their soul mates at work. That probably explains the 9% of Indians who choose to pursue office romance despite believing it would harm their career”
Monster, the worldwide leader in successfully connecting people to job opportunities and flagship brand of Monster Worldwide, Inc. asked visitors to their site , “Do you think a dating a colleague would harm your career prospects and would you do it?” and received over 5,000 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”
Indian respondents adopted a cautious approach with only 9% willing to pursue an office romance despite believing it would harm their career. 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. US also has the lowest rate of “not harmful and I would date a colleague” answers, at only 18%. On the other end 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%).. Overall, respondents from EU countries are laid back about office romances- 35% believe they are harmless and would date a colleague, and only 24% are wary of office romances and would not consider one.
The Monster Global poll, a product of Monster, the premier global online employment solution and flagship brand of Monster Worldwide, Inc. These polls are not scientific and reflect the opinions of only those Internet users who have chosen to participate. The results of the current Monster Global Poll are based on votes cast by Monster visitors from January 6-20, 2014.
