Office Romance Gone Bad: The Things That Happen When You Break Up With A Colleague

Office romance can seem very filmy, sure. Maybe you're even tempted to try it yourself. But with more and more companies enforcing policies forbidding romantic relationships at the workplace you might want to reconsider things.

According to a 2012 study conducted by Randstad¡ªan Amsterdam-based human resources¡ª70 per cent of Indian employees reported workplace romantic liaisons. One reason for this could have to do with the fact that employees aren't aware that there are such policies in place.

Is it okay to go for lunch or dinner with a colleague? Do frequent smoke breaks at work with someone indicate something? So, how is it supposed to be?

Chaitanya Ramalinge Gowda, a relationship expert and founder of dating website Twoly Madly Deeply (TMD) told Economic Times, ¡°People spend eight to 10 hours in the office every day and probably another two commuting which leaves them with hardly any time to socialise after hours. So they prefer having relationships in the office.¡±

And, in case, you are one of those people who've found romance in the workplace but things reach a point where you have to break up, exactly how does one deal with that? We spoke to some people and found that these are the 11 things that happen in such a situation. Consider yourself warned.

1. ¡°I got attracted to a married guy at work. Even he developed feelings for me but soon some of the colleagues told his wife about me which led to our break up. It is very hard to act professionally in front of him now.¡±

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2. ¡°Office breakups are disorienting. In my case, focus on work is much less and it affects my productivity when he is around.¡±

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3. ¡°I avoid getting into the elevator or even to the pantry when she's there. My life in office has now become about avoiding that person.¡¯¡¯

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4. ¡°We are currently working on a project together and he reports to me. Somehow our conversations have become only about the project. Any conversation beyond that has not happened in a very long time.¡±

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5. ¡°I think about quitting every single day since we broke up. I might as well do it anyway because seeing her with people, laughing in the cafeteria kills me.¡±

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6. ¡°Enduring a seven- to eight-hour shift together on a daily basis without talking to each other makes everything so weird. Colleagues noticing it adds to the pressure.¡±

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7. ¡°When your professional and personal lives mix, it can become hazardous after a break up. My ex and I are complete strangers in the office now. Thankfully, no one in our office knows about the two of us.¡±

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8. ¡°Colleagues can never be your friends. They¡¯ll laugh and gossip about your misery post break up. You become the talk of the town.¡±

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9. "I had to tell my boss to change my department because I couldn¡¯t bear the sight of him. This helped and now we are okay with each other¡¯s presence and even pass friendly smiles to each other."

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10. ¡°I dealt with the situation a little maturely by being normal with her. She did the same. However, there is a part of you that is always wondering how things would've worked out had you both not been colleagues.¡±

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