Sex in the Office
By Peggy Vaughan
What are the risks of office affairs?
While the risks associated with office romances (between two single people) may be diminished by being discreet and relating in a professional way at work, office affairs (where at least one of the partners is married) carry far more risks. And these risks are much greater for women than for men.
The double standard for judging sexual behavior that exists in society as a whole exists in the office as well. Both men and women are likely to be more harsh in their judgment of the woman than the man when it comes to an office affair. Even if co-workers bring no moral judgment to her actions, they're likely to make a professional judgment that she's not really serious about her career.
There's also the likelihood that others in the office will have concerns about being personally affected. These concerns cover a wide range: having to "cover" for an affair, the amount of time an affair might take from a focus on business, special treatment or privileges that might accompany an affair, unfair distribution of labor by virtue of time spent on an affair, or just being distracted by an affair.
There's also the risk, of course, that a woman involved in an affair will be distracted by it herself. While most men have learned to compartmentalize their lives and separate their feelings from their ability to focus on other things, women may experience some problems in blocking out the dynamics of an office affair while trying to concentrate on their work.
When an affair ends, or if it becomes a problem in the office, it's the woman who is likely to lose her job. Even if she is able to keep her job, her peers' assessment of her as a worker will probably be lowered.
v