How to Keep an Office Romance Quiet

An office romance (or affair) is a tricky thing. The possibilities for misery are almost endless, but sometimes we just can't help ourselves when it comes to matters of the heart. If you're willing to risk the consequences of an office romance, you should consider keeping it quiet; at least until you have a solid, established relationship immune to the rumor mill.

Instructions

1. Set the ground rules with your partner. Decide exactly how much you will or will not tell coworkers. It's essential to be on the same page, so that one of you doesn't accidentally blind side the other by giving too much information away. Consider keeping your romance a complete secret. The less your office mates know, the less they're likely to cause a fuss.

2. Stay professional at all times while at work. Don't hug, kiss, send mushy emails or look across the room at each other with loopy, puppy-dog grins. Coworkers often pick up on attraction between officemates, even with small clues. If you want to keep your office romance quiet, you need to save all forms of flirtation for after hours.

3. Confide only in your partner. When dating a coworker, it's best not to tell anyone. Don't mention the relationship to your boss, the janitor or the close friend you sit beside every day. If one person in the office knows about your relationship, before long, they all will.

4. Date out of town. By staying away from the local neighborhood, you're less likely to run into other coworkers who can reveal the office romance.

5. Clarify with your partner what you'll say if anyone finds out. Again, you must be on the same page as to what the ground rules will be. Even if you're not ready to tell the world you're dating a coworker, it's better that the announcement comes from the two of you than from the office busybody.

6. Use class if the relationship goes south. While we all hope for the best, sometimes a romance (office or otherwise) just doesn't work out as planned. If your relationship fizzles, keep those feelings out of the office. Treat your Ex with professional courtesy and leave it at that. You will maintain your dignity and keep a better working environment by ending the relationship with class.