[q]
A friend told me that when she started her job at a big company, a family friend, who also worked there, pulled her aside to give her some advice.
Many people in their workplace had affairs, he said, and he’d seen lots of relationships break up. He’d kept his own marriage strong by following some rules, and he urged her to keep them too:
(6 rules moved to Poll space)
People sometimes assume that it’s straightforward to decide, “I'd never have an affair” – that it’s just a matter of good character and solid values. But temptation can sometimes arise over a very long period of time, and not look the way we expect. Gradually, slowly, a relationship’s nature changes. Or sometimes a very stressful or intense moment creates a sudden energy which, in the right environment, can lead to an affair.
Do you agree with these tips? Do you think they’re too restrictive? Would you suggest other strategies?
Poll Results
| Option | Votes |
| 3. Never allow yourself to have a “special friend” of the attractive sex (sometimes called a “work spouse”) to whom you | 5 |
| 5. Imagine your spouse/partner as audience – cc’d on the email, walking suddenly into the conference room. If you’d fee | 3 |
| 1. Never take a first step in flirtation, even in jest. | 2 |
| 6. If you develop a close relationship with someone, get to know his or her family. | 2 |
| 2. Never have more than one drink with people from work. | 1 |
| 4. Unless it’s an unmistakably professional context, don’t meet alone with a colleague or client of the attractive sex. | 0 |
― Mark G, Tuesday, 30 October 2012 16:48 (thirteen years ago)