Experience Inc. (http://www.experience.com), the nation’s leading provider of career services for college students and alumni, today revealed the results of its “Dating in the Workplace Survey,” which measured young professionals’ views on romance in the office. The results showed that a surprising 59% of student/alumni respondents fear that dating in the workplace could negatively impact their career, despite the fact that only 21% said their employers have specific policies in place that address office dating, and 37% did not know if such a policy existed.
In spite of possible negative repercussions, Cupid still hovers over the office space – 52% of survey respondents reported that they have dated a co-worker. Of those who dated a co-worker, 74% reported there were no professional consequences (positive or negative) for their action.
Experience Inc.’s survey also found:
60% of respondents had not yet met their life partner
41% of respondents typically meet people they date through friends and family, followed by 29% who meet people they date through their social scene
51% feel they will most likely meet their life partners within seven years of graduating college
43% are not sure when they will meet their life partner
Daters Beware
While there were survey respondents who reported meeting their life partner at work, Experience Inc.’s survey also revealed risk in inter-office dating – if you don’t play by the rules. Respondents cautioned that employees should always remain professional and never allow the relationship to impact productivity. They also advised against dating a direct supervisor or subordinate. Finally, in cases where there were consequences, the majority agreed that the action was not worth the outcome.
So, before you risk dating a co-worker, make sure your company does not have a policy that prohibits dating in the workplace. And while some marriages may bloom out of the co-worker relationship, consider the added stress of seeing that person in your daily work environment in the event of a break-up.
Survey Methodology
Young professionals who opted-in to receive communication from Experience Inc. were invited to participate in Experience Inc.’s 2008 online “Dating in the Workplace Survey,” which ran between January 30 and February 4, 2008. 185 individuals completed the survey within the following demographic breakdown: 43% of respondents were male; 57% female; 74% were aged 21-29 and 26% of respondents were over 30.
About Experience
Experience is the only university-endorsed career network bridging the gap between college and the working world. We deliver jobs, internships and career resources to college students and recent graduates. Since 1996, we have partnered with universities to educate, assist and inspire college graduates to launch and lead extraordinary careers. Widely known for our eRecruiting platform and award-winning network, we connect millions of our members from 3,800 colleges and universities with more than 100,000 employers each year. For more information, visit www.experience.com