Many people have had to deal with the experience of having a secret sexual relationship while working at their place of employment. For some, it is an exciting and exhilarating adventure that provides an extra layer of excitement to their job; for others, it can be incredibly stressful and even damaging. In order to understand why this is the case, one must consider how secrecy plays into the equation. Secrecy can be described as intentionally hiding something from others, whether it's because you don't want them to know or because you fear what they might say if they did find out. Concealment goes hand in hand with secrecy, but involves actively avoiding discussions about a particular topic or situation altogether. Disclosure refers to revealing the truth about something previously hidden. This can come through in many different ways – confessing your feelings, admitting wrongdoing, telling someone else about your affair – and has its own set of consequences. So what are these emotional effects?
Discussion about sex and relationships often carries a stigma, particularly in the workplace where professionalism is highly valued. When employees engage in these activities behind closed doors, there is an inherent danger of discovery which brings up all sorts of questions and potential risks. What if my boss finds out? Will I get fired? Could my reputation suffer irreparably? These are valid concerns, but they also speak to the power dynamics present within any given company or organization. The person who knows the most information about another tends to hold more control over them, so keeping secrets can feel like an attempt at self-preservation. At the same time, however, secrets can cause immense anxiety and uncertainty. A secret sexual relationship may lead to feelings of guilt, shame, confusion, and frustration; after all, we live in a society that tells us to keep our personal lives separate from our professional ones.
Of course, disclosing the truth has its own challenges. While coming clean can be liberating in some cases, it can also lead to tension between coworkers, awkwardness when interacting with partners outside of the office, and even termination from employment.
There's no guarantee that the other party will react positively; sometimes revealing a secret actually leads to further secrecy as they try to protect themselves from the fallout. All told, then, secrecy is a complicated issue that requires careful consideration before entering into a romantic entanglement at work.
What are the emotional consequences of secrecy, concealment, or disclosure of sexual relationships at work?
In recent years, there has been an increase in awareness about mental health issues related to workplace environments. One topic that is frequently discussed is the impact of secretly dating someone within the same organization. In this situation, it is not uncommon for individuals to feel ashamed, embarrassed, and anxious about their behavior due to fear of being discovered by others. This can lead to feelings of isolation and depression, as well as difficulties maintaining close relationships with coworkers.