Flirting with the Boss

Looking for Love in so Many Places

In this day and age, singles really have it made as far as the number of places and opportunities they have to find their soul mates. In addition to online dating and singles bars, there is speed dating, singles' church groups and a wide variety of planned activities geared for singles. Online dating is becoming increasingly popular because you can really narrow down the specifics for whom you're looking.

However, many find these opportunities are not for them and choose to look somewhere more convenient, like at work.

Flirting is Natural

Human beings are wired to flirt with one another. That's a common fact and is accepted universally. When men and women are thrown together every day, flirting is something that naturally occurs.

Flirting with the Boss

There are several normal, natural reasons that flirting with the boss occurs. For instance, the boss is someone in authority. The boss is powerful, experienced, sometimes older and more experienced in life and has earned the respect of his or her subordinates. Those qualities are naturally attractive. If being mentored by your boss, you may find more qualities about him or her that you respect and admire, creating an even stronger base for why you'd be tempted to flirt.

Crossing the Line

Flirting with your boss can be fun, and the flirting can be very innocent. However, sometimes lines get crossed; the flirting is no longer innocent. For instance, if either you or your boss is married and either of you would be ashamed to tell your spouse about something that occurred between the two of you, it's possible that you're crossing that line of it no longer being innocent. When your conversations become sexually charged, it could potentially lead to something more serious than just "talk."

Risks in the Workplace

It is possible that flirting with your boss can damage your reputation at work. With the way gossip flies in many offices or workplaces, you ought to be concerned with what's being said about you. Spending too much time with the boss just opens you up to ridicule by your fellow employees. Granted, it's really none of their business; but, they can still cause you a lot of trouble with their comments and rumors.

Flirting with your boss could lead to a real office romance, but that isn't always ideal. Many office relationships don't last. There's a high level of awkwardness when the relationship fizzles, but you still have to see that person on a daily basis. Sometimes resentment is a result of a relationship gone wrong, and that's not something that is going to be conducive to a good work environment.

Additionally, there are bosses out there who will take advantage of their subordinates. Once that innocent flirting begins, special treatment may be awarded as a result. By falling into a situation such as this, you run the risk of allowing yourself to be taken advantage of for someone else's benefit. Another risk is that your innocent flirting may result in unwanted advances from your boss.

Not Always Bad

Ultimately, you have to let your instincts and conscience be your guide. Numerous couples contribute their relationship to a boss or subordinate working relationship first. It is also very possible that flirting with your boss is all that it will ever be. It can create a bond between you and your boss that enables your working relationship to function in such a way that your teamwork is essential to the success of your department or company. It can make work more fun. It can lighten long working hours. It can be a very good thing.

In short, flirting with the boss probably won't win you any friends among your co-workers, but it may not hurt your career, either. Be careful how openly you do it, and be sure not to cross any lines.