I was watching Big Shots on SABC3
(I was bored and I still miss the SABC3 Monday Line Up) and I saw a scene involving perhaps one of the most talked about subjects in the corporate world. I think the show is a big disappointment but that is not the focus on my blog.
"The problem with Big Shots is that the men don't sound like anyone at all, male or female." USA Today
If you fall in love with a colleague, does it erase all your hard work and professional standing? Does it transform your work history into sheer sexual success instead of actual success?
Does the caliber of the man or woman you date at work define you?
As you can see this is one of those subjects with more questions than answers. I have a lot of them. The bottom line is how does dating a coworker change who you are perceived to be in a successful work environment?
If the relationship tanks do you change positions or do you deal with it and move on?
I could not help but ask myself all these questions when I saw James and Katie try desperately to battle with their office policies versus their intense feeling for one another. I think James was willing to go for it but Katie could not face more comments like the one she got from her coworker
“You practically have James wrapped around your finger” ouch!
What was clear was the fact that James Walker and Katie Grahm were perfect for each other and they were very much in love. I also thought that the producers made it difficult for them to be a real couple because it was an interracial relationship. Whatever the reasons, it seemed clear that they were not portraying lust but love. The mixed tape or should we say mixed CD, made me laugh hysterically especially when Katie discovered that James wanted her opinion of the music and it was not his feelings in music.
People magazine called the show one of several "Sex and the City clones" and the characters "Entourage-wannabes".
When Katie told James that she does not want to loose what she has worked very hard to achieve because of their relationship. It made me reflect yet again….on today’s corporate world. Can you choose your career over true love?. I guess its better to be alone and wealthy, than involved and poor.
Katie was referring to the fact that people won’t see the dynamic and intelligent career women she has become. Instead they are going to see the chick that is sleeping with the CEO. All her decisions will be questioned and she will be reduced to a sorry excuse of their own imagination of an executive because she is sleeping with the boss.
Is this true? Have you experienced this?
Whilst on the subject, what about dating colleagues? Have you had experiences and what is your best advice for someone who is having that warm feeling inside whenever Dan or Suzan walks past and they are thinking of making the first move!
Affairs at the office are as old an issue as bad-tempered bosses. There are few workplaces around which don't have their share of love stories. Your office probably has one, too.
However, not everyone takes to the idea of romance at the office lightly. Some management experts, for instance, believe these relationships can adversely affect productivity. Some offices have even gone to the extent of disallowing colleagues from dating each other, or marrying within the organization. As we have seen with Katie and James, they had to go to HR and fill out a form announcing their relationship.
People will always meet and date and if they work together, it will also happen at work. Considering the fact that we spend around 8 hours a day or more, with the same people which is more time you spend with your wife/husband or girlfriend/boyfriend. Something will eventually be forged and romantic relationships may develop.
The issue however, is what happens when things begin to go bad when the relationship falls apart. Yes, you are professional and good at your job. When relationships begin to go wrong you begin by spending an inordinate amount of time questioning yourself, the situation, the other party, your sanity and everything about you. This may be very bad when they guy who dumped you is just a couple of offices away. You get to see him looking hot and sexy in those Monday morning meetings.
We all take chances in life, but as any gambler will tell you, only gamble what you can afford to lose. And dating at work is an incalculable risk.
One day I went to the office at night after I realized that I had left some paper work I needed. When I got there I heard noises come from the boardroom and I decided to investigate. To my complete shock two employees were going at it like rabbits. Let's just say....awkward does not even begin to explain it! They are no longer together and the break-up was so bad that the lady decided to leave the company.
What would you choose…your Career or Love?
By The TV Observer
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