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7 Valentine's Day Rules for Workplace Relationships
Cherry Hill, NJ
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Joyce Hoff
856-751-6141 (NJ) www.pachter.com
Sharing a copier by day and a bedroom at night?
7 Valentine's Day Rules for Workplace Relationships
Valentine's Day is coming and that means there can be romance in the air at your workplace!
According to business etiquette expert Barbara Pachter, this holiday can bring office romances out into the open. "People let their guard down," says Pachter, "they can be overwhelmed with the emotion of the holiday and say or do inappropriate things at the office"
Pachter, author of the book "When The Little Things Count...And They Always Count" ($13.95 Marlowe & Co.), points out, work is the place where more and more people meet their dates and mates, because that's where we spend most of our time—but "be careful!" she warns. "If you don't behave properly, an office romance can cause conflict and have a negative impact on your career"
So as Valentine's Day approaches, how do you share a copier by day and a bedroom by night with someone without hurting your professional image? Here are 7 guidelines from Pachter:
1. CONTINUE TO KEEP THE RELATIONSHIP PRIVATE. Just because it is Valentines Day, it doesn't mean that you can start broadcasting your relationship or sharing information about it with others. Even if your company takes a liberal view of office romance, it just isn't professional to share details—good or bad—with others you work with.
2. NO PHYSICAL CONTACT IN THE OFFICE. No secret kissing, caressing, hand holding or sex in the office. People get caught and careers can get ruined.
3. SEND ANY FLOWERS OR GIFTS TO THE HOME. One man sent his girlfriend a huge bouquet of balloons to her office. Coworkers wanted to know who sent it and spent time trying to figure it out. She was embarrassed.
4. DON'T EMAIL X-RATED VALENTINE'S DAY CARDS. Email is not private. Do not send an unsigned Valentine's Day card to a coworker. Being a secret admirer is not a corporate concept. And if you think using your cell phone may be safer for private, intimate conversations, watch out, you may be speaking louder than you think!
5. YOUR BOSS SHOULDN'T BE YOUR VALENTINE. Relationships are tricky enough without your boss or subordinate being your Valentine. It's difficult to report to someone or effectively manage someone you're in love or sleeping with. If you are dating your boss, have your reporting relationship changed.
6. REMEMBER THAT BUSINESS RULES APPLY IN BUSINESS-RELATED SOCIAL FUNCTIONS. At any office party or business social event do not dance too closely, use seductive language, drink too much or wear seductive clothing.
7. IF THE RELATIONSHIP FAILS—BE PROFESSIONAL AND ADULT ABOUT IT. Even if you've been jilted and the relationship ends badly you cannot vent your negative feelings in the office. This is the risk of office relationships. They sometimes don't work out and then you have to continue to see or work with the person everyday.
###
Barbara Pachter is co-author of the book "The Jerk with the Cell Phone: A Survival Guide for the Rest of Us" ($9.95 Marlowe & Co.), and author of "The Power of Positive Confrontation" ($14.95 paperback, Marlowe & Co.). She is also co-author of several etiquette books including the "Prentice Hall Complete Business Etiquette Handbook"
She is a speaker, trainer and coach specializing in business communications, business etiquette, and assertiveness issues. Her client list features major corporations and organizations worldwide, including Microsoft, Pfizer Inc., DaimlerChrysler, Merck & Co., Ernst & Young, and the University of Michigan.
For a review copy of her books, "The Jerk With the Cell Phone," "When the Little
Things Count" or "The Power of Positive Confrontation," contact Marlowe &
Company, Blanca Olivery: Blanca@avalonpub.com
For a free copy of Pachter's newsletter, "Competitive Edge," your readers can
simply call (856) 751-6141 (NJ) or go to www.pachter.com on the web.
Published twice a year, it contains tips and strategies for business
professionals on a wide range of business communication and etiquette issues.
856-751-6141 (NJ) www.pachter.com
Sharing a copier by day and a bedroom at night?
7 Valentine's Day Rules for Workplace Relationships
Valentine's Day is coming and that means there can be romance in the air at your workplace!
According to business etiquette expert Barbara Pachter, this holiday can bring office romances out into the open. "People let their guard down," says Pachter, "they can be overwhelmed with the emotion of the holiday and say or do inappropriate things at the office"
Pachter, author of the book "When The Little Things Count...And They Always Count" ($13.95 Marlowe & Co.), points out, work is the place where more and more people meet their dates and mates, because that's where we spend most of our time—but "be careful!" she warns. "If you don't behave properly, an office romance can cause conflict and have a negative impact on your career"
So as Valentine's Day approaches, how do you share a copier by day and a bedroom by night with someone without hurting your professional image? Here are 7 guidelines from Pachter:
1. CONTINUE TO KEEP THE RELATIONSHIP PRIVATE. Just because it is Valentines Day, it doesn't mean that you can start broadcasting your relationship or sharing information about it with others. Even if your company takes a liberal view of office romance, it just isn't professional to share details—good or bad—with others you work with.
2. NO PHYSICAL CONTACT IN THE OFFICE. No secret kissing, caressing, hand holding or sex in the office. People get caught and careers can get ruined.
3. SEND ANY FLOWERS OR GIFTS TO THE HOME. One man sent his girlfriend a huge bouquet of balloons to her office. Coworkers wanted to know who sent it and spent time trying to figure it out. She was embarrassed.
4. DON'T EMAIL X-RATED VALENTINE'S DAY CARDS. Email is not private. Do not send an unsigned Valentine's Day card to a coworker. Being a secret admirer is not a corporate concept. And if you think using your cell phone may be safer for private, intimate conversations, watch out, you may be speaking louder than you think!
5. YOUR BOSS SHOULDN'T BE YOUR VALENTINE. Relationships are tricky enough without your boss or subordinate being your Valentine. It's difficult to report to someone or effectively manage someone you're in love or sleeping with. If you are dating your boss, have your reporting relationship changed.
6. REMEMBER THAT BUSINESS RULES APPLY IN BUSINESS-RELATED SOCIAL FUNCTIONS. At any office party or business social event do not dance too closely, use seductive language, drink too much or wear seductive clothing.
7. IF THE RELATIONSHIP FAILS—BE PROFESSIONAL AND ADULT ABOUT IT. Even if you've been jilted and the relationship ends badly you cannot vent your negative feelings in the office. This is the risk of office relationships. They sometimes don't work out and then you have to continue to see or work with the person everyday.
###
Barbara Pachter is co-author of the book "The Jerk with the Cell Phone: A Survival Guide for the Rest of Us" ($9.95 Marlowe & Co.), and author of "The Power of Positive Confrontation" ($14.95 paperback, Marlowe & Co.). She is also co-author of several etiquette books including the "Prentice Hall Complete Business Etiquette Handbook"
She is a speaker, trainer and coach specializing in business communications, business etiquette, and assertiveness issues. Her client list features major corporations and organizations worldwide, including Microsoft, Pfizer Inc., DaimlerChrysler, Merck & Co., Ernst & Young, and the University of Michigan.
For a review copy of her books, "The Jerk With the Cell Phone," "When the Little
Things Count" or "The Power of Positive Confrontation," contact Marlowe &
Company, Blanca Olivery: Blanca@avalonpub.com
For a free copy of Pachter's newsletter, "Competitive Edge," your readers can
simply call (856) 751-6141 (NJ) or go to www.pachter.com on the web.
Published twice a year, it contains tips and strategies for business
professionals on a wide range of business communication and etiquette issues.
Barbara Pachter
President
Pachter and Associates
Cherry Hill, NJ
856-751-6141
856-751-6857
First Url: Barbara Pachter
