Workplace Crushes are Normal Fifty-eight percent of recent survey participants reported engaging in a workplace romance in some capacity.
Millions of people every day develop a crush on a person they work with. Do not berate yourself or feel shame because you fantasize about the crush. A crush at work can also lead to a workplace relationship.
"It's totally fine to have a crush on a coworker, but it's all about how you handle it," she explains. Before you offer up your heart and soul, know whether doing so could put your career in jeopardy. If it can, you might want to try some dating apps instead.
Recent research from totaljobs found that 22% of people meet their actual romantic partner at work, too. That's compared to 13% meeting online, 18% meeting through friends, and 10% finding each other on a night out.
A brief touch on the shoulder, a light brush against the arm or a playful nudge of the elbow might make you suspect someone is flirting. If this type of contact happens often, whether disguised as accidental or not, it could be flirting.
Your coworker might compliment you on your outfit or your work ethic. If you notice that they tend to reserve compliments for you and you alone, they probably have a little crush on you. Keep in mind, though, that if they compliment everyone, they might just be a nice person.
For 18% of workers, those long-term relationships went to the next level where it evolved into marriage. As for how office romances happen, it most commonly starts when someone works in the same department was their partner (26%) or by attending happy hours or holiday parties (17%).
Is It Normal To Be Attracted To A Co-Worker? Yes, given the social environment of the workplace, it's completely normal to be attracted to a co-worker, but that doesn't mean your crush feels the same way, or that you should act on your feelings for this person.
Accept It. If you haven't already, the first thing you need to do is accept that you have a work crush. But don't start a new job search just yet. According to psychologists, crushes last on average about four months before they start to fade away — or grow stronger.
As per their study, light-hearted flirtation and banter among colleagues is benign and can, in fact, help relieve stress in workers.
Apparently cheating on a partner with a colleague is relatively common. Although 19% of employees admitted to stepping out on their partner with a colleague at work, a surprising 44% of employees have known colleagues who had affairs at work or on business trips.
Your coworker may have a crush on you if: They steal glances at you throughout the day for no apparent reason. They stare at you, wink, or otherwise invite your interest with their eyes during meetings or other occasions at work. They check your physical features out regularly.
35% of workers have gone on a date with someone from their workplace. 33% of US workers are currently involved in or have been involved in a workplace romance, up from 27% in the months prior to the global health crisis. 27.6% of men have engaged in a romantic encounter with a colleague, compared to 21.5% of women.
Even so, of those surveyed, 12% said they had dated a subordinate, and 19% had dated a superior. The risk to romantic co-worker relationships is the same as it is for any romantic relationship; they don't always last. But in the case of an office romance breakup, there is a chance of some serious issues.
A serious dating relationship may turn sexual and add another layer of ethical dilemma if and when the relationship goes south. Office romances can stifle productivity, lead to sexual harassment charges, and destroy the work- place environment.
Things You Should Know
Your coworker likely has a crush if he loves talking to you, remembers small details about you, and compliments you. He might be into you if he invites you to lunch, messages you outside of work, and wants to hang out.
Crushes are defined as “an intense, but usually short-lived infatuation.” Therefore, career crushes are an infatuation based on admiration of another's professional skills and accomplishments. The success and skill level of said individual can often make us feel excited, nervous and intimidated.