Ten ways to spot an office romance

By Metis HR

25 Feb 2015

Since women joined the workforce in significant numbers in the early 1960s the number of people who met their future partner through an office romance has steadily increased, but we’re now told the trend is reversing.

By Metis HR.

In 1990, 20 per cent of people had an office romance that led to a long-term partnership, but by 2009 this had reduced to 10 per cent; on-line dating being blamed for the change.

Many workplaces try to discourage office romances between colleagues, not because they don’t want people to be happy but because if it goes wrong it can create terrible fallout between work colleagues.

As Valentine’s Day has just been and gone again how do you know if there’s an office romance brewing?

There are 10 tell-tale signs that an office romance is on the cards.

1. They avoid eye contact, becoming almost too formal with one another, barely making eye contact

2. They never leave the office together, often making a point of advertising the fact that they are leaving separately

3. When they’re not overtly advertising that they’re leaving separately, they’re both putting in extra hours, both arriving early or both leaving late

4. You walk into a room and feel like you’re interrupting a private joke, they talk about the same films, the same books, you feel that you’re intruding.

5. They start fiercely defending one another against perceived criticism, often unnecessarily.

6. Their sick leave and holidays keep coinciding; quizzing them about what they did on their time off generates a bland, non-committal answer.

7. They both look good, she always wears makeup and stylish outfits, he’s started jogging at lunchtime and their tastes have changed; she follows football now, he enjoys rom coms.

8. The previous ‘open door’ policy has gone awry, with the office door always closed and ‘confidential meetings’ always involving the two of them.

9. They seem to drive to work together, even if they don’t live in the same direction, and they’re seen sometimes dropping one another off round the corner from the office rather than at the front door.

10. Their work rate and performance has taken a nose-dive

And sadly, it’s that last one that causes the problem in the workplace. Work colleagues who are having to pick up the slack for their ‘loved up’ workmates can become resentful very quickly. A watchful eye and a careful word from an observant manager can do an awful lot to stop an office romance becoming the source of tension, resentment and negativity.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Metis HR

Latest news

1

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston Momentum

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston

25 Jul 2025

2

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards Ben Garland and Julia Lorente

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards

24 Jul 2025

3

Work is set to start on Multiversity project Multiversity Blackpool

Work is set to start on Multiversity project

24 Jul 2025

4

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft Typhoon production Warton

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft

23 Jul 2025

5

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C EDF Assystem

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C

22 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech
July PTC banner long updated.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Morecambe Bay Walk
Walk.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Morecambe Bay Walk

Arnside, CARNFORTH, LA5

09:30 - 14:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin