Relationships within the workplace are more common than you might think. Studies show that 58% of employees have engaged in a romantic relationship with a colleague, and a surprising 72% of those over 50 years old have been romantically involved with a co-worker.
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.
"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.
Having a crush on a coworker does not mean you are a bad person. It does not make you into a bad person, either. A crush at work is a very normal reaction to the social environment you're in on a daily basis. However, a crush at work can be invasive to your daily tasks.
Women tend to fantasize sexually about known individuals, such as past boyfriends, co-workers, friends with whom they have had some form of relationship.
Receiving compliments on your looks, getting a flirty text message, a smile across the room or a random hug may feel great if it comes from the right person at the right time. These all are instances of flirting but the same text or the same compliment might get creepy and annoying if you get it from the wrong person.
What is unspoken attraction? Unspoken attraction is when two people feel attracted to each other, but they do not say it aloud. This attraction exists based on subtle or clear physical behaviors both parties exhibit when they are close to each other.
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.
Don't Hug a Client
Hugging can come across as unprofessional and you're representing your company here. Stick to handshakes and warm words if you want to convey how much you value the (working) relationship.
We spend more time with our colleagues than almost anyone else. This can lead to "vicinity attraction" where you develop feelings for someone because you're around them all the time. But the only way to know if these feelings are real is to meet up outside of work.
There's no universal rule
It may be acceptable to cheek kiss a longstanding colleague, but opt for a handshake if they are with someone you have never met. While you should look to avoid isolating them, you do not want to make them uncomfortable either.
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.
AFFAIR – the one word that no married person or those in a serious relationship ever wants to hear or even think about. However, although it may be a cliché, it is said that around 85% of affairs start in the workplace - with the Christmas party season about to start – it can be a worrying time for many people.
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.
A man in love tends to lean his shoulders towards his love interest. It is one of the indications of adoration. If he leans his shoulders towards you when he's close to you, he's romantic and cares about what you have to say. He will lean in and create a space that incorporates you two.
If so, what is it? Why we feel instant attraction to some people, and not others, is affected by lots of different things: mood, hormones and neurotransmitters, how alike we are, the shortage of other partners available, looks, physical excitement, and the proximity of geographical closeness.
When two people have intense chemistry, it's hard to ignore. It's a feeling that's electric, magnetic, and often intoxicating. There's an undeniable spark between them, and they seem to be drawn to each other like magnets. It's a palpable energy that can be felt even by those around them.
If you suspect someone might be flirting with you, always check to see if they act the same way with other people or if you've been singled out for special attention. Many people have flirtatious personalities, but if someone is extra-friendly with you, that's the clearest sign that they're flirting.
Hugging peers is probably okay, but only for those you do not see every day, and only if they are comfortable with it. It can be a good idea to let someone know you are a hugger and ask permission before going in for a hug. This gives him/her a chance to decline the hug if s/he is uncomfortable.