The idea that sexual relationships can create emotional stress, anxiety, or conflict within professional teams is a common one. In fact, it's so ubiquitous that many people assume it to be true without ever investigating the matter further.
Researchers have found that this assumption isn't necessarily always accurate. While there are certainly instances where sexual relations between coworkers can lead to problems within the workplace, there are also plenty of situations where it doesn't cause any issues at all. So what's the deal? Why do some people find themselves struggling with the idea of having a romantic relationship while others seem to breeze through it without any trouble? Let's take a look.
First things first: there are definitely times when having an office affair leads to major drama.
If you're sleeping with your boss and she decides to fire you because she feels threatened by your presence, then yeah, you probably won't be able to keep up the relationship for very long. Likewise, if you have an affair with someone who works in another department and they start spreading rumors about you behind your back, that could lead to some serious tension as well. But these scenarios aren't exactly typical - they represent extremes rather than norms. Most people who engage in intimate relationships with colleagues don't experience anything quite so drastic. Instead, they may just feel awkward around each other afterward or struggle to maintain their professionalism during meetings (which is totally understandable).
The key here seems to lie in communication. If you're open and honest with everyone involved about your intentions from the get-go, then chances are good that things will go smoothly. You might even end up making new friends along the way! On the other hand, if you try to hide your relationship from co-workers and act like nothing happened when questions arise, then problems will almost certainly ensue. It's better to err on the side of transparency if possible. That doesn't mean you need to announce your plans to the entire company over the intercom system; instead, simply let your closest confidants know what's going on and give them a heads up if things ever start getting too hot between you and your partner. This way, everyone knows where you stand without feeling blindsided later down the road.
Can sexual relationships create emotional stress, anxiety, or conflict within professional teams?
Emotional stress, anxiety, or conflict can arise from sexual relationships between two team members in a professional setting due to various reasons. One of them is that the relationship may interfere with the productivity of the other colleagues if they are not comfortable working together after discovering it. Another reason is when one partner receives preferential treatment, resulting in discrimination against others, which can lead to resentment and frustration.