NederlandsResearch shows that everything is allowed in love, and so is dating a colleague. Provided employers and lovebirds adhere to these 8 relationship rules. Love at the office occurs regularly. Logical, because work takes up a large part of our lives and we spend a lot of time with colleagues. Figures from Statistics Netherlands show that in Nederland there are 296,000 employees whose partners work in the same company. This amounts to 150,000 couples in the workplace, or 4% of the total number of employees in Nederland .
Dating a colleague is also becoming less taboo. 45% of Dutch employees agree: everything is fair in love. They therefore believe that dating with a colleague should be possible. 19 percent of the respondents also indicated that one should not be the manager of the other. However, 32 percent of Dutch employees absolutely do not want to date a colleague. For them, they would rather resign than start dating a colleague.
And to mention a few more figures: according to a poll by singles.nl, 11 percent of employees do it together in the office and 7 percent even do it during working hours at the office. 23 percent stick to cuddling and kissing.
Most affairs are short-lived, by the way. Nearly four out of ten last less than six months. And only 1 in 25 ends up in a long-term relationship such as living together or getting married.
applaud
Love relationships at work can have positive consequences. Employees are happier with their job, more motivated and perform better. People in love are often happy and have a lot of positive energy, which can lead to extra productivity. Moreover, it appears that couples at work are less likely to call in sick. Joint projects run excellently, couples complement each other and are happy to work overtime. In China it is even encouraged in a single company with an extra bonus because being in love promotes harmony.
advise against
However, love in the workplace also has its drawbacks. Bill Clinton and our own former Secretary of Defense 
Jack the Vries are good examples of this. If you share a bed and an office, you are more likely to experience work stress and always take work home with you. In addition, couples at work are more likely to be targets of gossip and backbiting. And if the relationship breaks down, the ex as a colleague will be unavoidable. Employers also often find it unpleasant, because love is a distraction and can negatively influence the work. Een quarter of employees think that employers should also prohibit relationships between colleagues. The Limburg channel L1 actually introduced a ban a few years ago. Formally, however, it is not a ground for dismissal.
8 tips for work romances
Code of Conduct
One in five Dutch companies has a code of conduct, which often means that employees should report a lasting relationship, according to research by Muel Kaptein, professor of business ethics at Erasmus University for KPMG. According to him, companies should not be too spastic about it and transparency helps to look for solutions. Een code of conduct can certainly help with this. Couples in love are therefore advised to check whether such a code is in force within the company.
Openness
Office relationships always come true sooner or later. Gossip is fueled by secrecy. If you are sure it is true love, be honest about it as soon as possible and make the relationship as official as possible. Agree with each other how and when you will disclose it and inform your manager first.
Right to privacy
As an employer, you are not allowed to interfere in the private life of your employees, even if they have a relationship with each other. If the amorous bond leads to unworkable situations, or if your interests are harmed, you may intervene and possibly transfer one of the two to another department or location.
Don't judge each other
If you get into a relationship with a subordinate, it is better not to conduct performance and appraisal interviews with each other. Make agreements about this and ensure that another authorized person can conduct the conversation.
keep it tidy
Making love during a meeting, kissing in the elevator: neither is a good idea. This is irritating for colleagues and can lead to gossip.
Make appointments for when it goes out
No matter how great the love is, make agreements about what you will do if you unexpectedly break up. It is certainly not good for work if you start avoiding each other or sit at your desk with stress.
Don't burden others
A love affair between two single employees is easier than an extramarital affair. Especially if colleagues also know the partner of their cheating colleague. In order not to let colleagues end up in a loyalty conflict, such a relationship is better kept secret.
Keep work and private life separate
It may go without saying, but it is not professional to discuss private matters in front of your colleagues. After all, they have to work with both of you.