10 Ways To Fight Attraction In The Workplace - Work It Daily

10 Ways To Fight Attraction In The Workplace - Work It Daily So, what should you do when you and another co-worker like each other? Worse yet, what happens if you have a crush on your boss or that most terrible of taboos, on your secretary? How To Deal With Attraction In The Workplace Rather than ignore the problem or act on your instincts, here are 10 tips for handling the lust genie and putting her back in the bottle where she belongs: 1. Acknowledge The Problem The first step in dealing with attraction at work is to acknowledge the problem. In all likelihood you have pushed these feelings to the side of your mind. Unfortunately, they are sitting there fermenting and probably deepening. Bringing your feelings to the top of your to-do list will help you logically deal with them. In cases of workplace attraction you are going to need every ounce of Dr. Spock you can muster. 2. Talk To A Friend About Your Love Dilemma Preferably to someone who is not employed by the same company, your spouse or the target of your attraction. Talking about your feelings is another way of acknowledging the problem. In addition, you will acquire an ally who will help you cope with the issue. 3. Get A Copy Of Your Company’s Rules And Regulations From HR Reading the black and white in company policy about what can happen if you act on your attraction is sometimes enough to change those feelings of amore into slight sickness whenever you see the person. 4. Realize You Might Be the Target Of Manipulation In the world of business, there are many ways to get ahead. Some people have learned that ignoring office etiquette and company rules about relationships is a quick way to gain the competitive edge. It’s very difficult, but try to realistically evaluate the skills of the other person. Have they earned their position through brilliance, dedication and hard work or did they just sort of miraculously appear? 5. Acknowledge: “The Grass Is Always Greener” Maybe your home life isn’t as blissful as it might be. This doesn’t mean that acting on your instincts with the person at work is going to be the dream relationship. That possible relationship might be better but in all likelihood you will be exchanging one set of problems for another. 6. Realize Your Brain Can Play Tricks On You In love with your boss? Have you ever heard of Stockholm syndrome? People in positions of power are often attractive even if they are absolutely horrible. 7. Understand The Consequences Romance at work (even between consenting single adults) often translates into negative repercussions. It can create sordid rumors and much worse. If you truly have found the love of your life get proactive about moving jobs or changing departments so you can continue your romance without worry. Not willing to do that? Maybe this isn't the “one.” 8. Set Clear And Safe Boundaries For Yourself This will make coping much easier. Social decorum dictates that most intimacy doesn't occur in the presence of others. Design strategies that remove direct and private contact with the person. Whenever possible interact with the person only when there are other people around. This will prevent intimacy and with luck the workplace crush will fade. 9. Improve Your Home Life And/Or Add Extracurricular Activities So many of us get absolutely absorbed in work. It is our lives. When this is the case it is perfectly natural to look for affection and intimacy at work. Make yourself and your social life outside of work a priority. Once other people enter your life, the attraction for that colleague often disappears. 10. Don’t Try To Deal With The Issue With Your Affection This approach rarely leads to a happy ending. First, if the attraction is mutual, the crush will likely escalate into a full-blown affair. Second, if the attraction is not mutual, you face rejection and possibly a sexual harassment lawsuit. We all are human and human interaction is sexual. Having a crush or being attracted to a co-worker is natural. But... natural doesn't necessarily make it good for you! Use these 10 tips to fight attraction in the workplace. Enjoy this article? You've got time for another! Check out these related articles: 10 Tips For Dealing With Workplace Harassment How To Build Positive Workplace Relationships Office Etiquette: Do You Know The Basics?   Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!