Appropriate relationships with co-workers
The modern political and social climate necessitates a basic outline for appropriate relationships with co-workers. Sometimes this outline may seem a little silly and politically correct, but sometimes it can prove even to be a lifesaving kind of thing, what with the shootings we hear about so often and all. Everyone, for the sake of their and their family's safety-emotionally, financially, and even physically-should keep a few basic things in mind when it comes to appropriate relationships with co-workers.
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- Co-workers are co-workers, first and foremost. That is, in the office (etc.) environment, you must relate to your co-workers professionally no matter what your relationship is like outside of the office (etc.). Let's say, for example, that Mike is one of your best friends; let's say that Mike has been one of your best friends since you slithered forth from the womb on the same day in the same hospital. NEVERTHELESS, at work, in the work environment, your best bet is to treat Mike with the same basic professionalism that you would treat Larry, a guy you've only known for a few months because he works in the cubicle next to you.
- At this point you may be asking, "Why? Why on earth should that be true?" And we admit that it does seem a little strict, that it seems a little on the strict side of things. However, we're sticking by our guns here. We stated at the beginning that everyone needs to form a sort of basic outline regarding appropriate relationships with co-workers. Appropriate relationships with co-workers can keep you from getting sued, fired, shot at, etc. Therefore, you want to set up as many precautionary little fences as possible, and there's no stronger precautionary fence than the discipline of treating everyone at work, friend and foe, soul-mate and someone you just met, with the same basic fundamental professionalism. This will keep you from making a stupid mistake like jovially taking a liberty with Jack because five minutes ago you shared a great joke with your best friend Mike. Maybe Jack's sense of humor isn't as healthy as Mike's; and now you're in trouble. Treat Mike and Jack the same, though, and you're not in trouble. You're just at work.
- When pondering the subject of appropriate relationships with co-workers, some obvious things will leap to mind. For example: sexuality. The word is in, and that word is: sexuality should be kept out of the workplace. Jokes, even, yes, even jokes. Sex is for somewhere else; not the workplace. Now, sexual harassment isn't as clear-cut a thing as you might suppose. When you told Mary you liked her blouse, when you said, "Hey Todd, nice slacks," you probably only intended the purest, most innocent compliments; but Mary and Todd might not see it that way; and if Mary and Todd don't see it that way, your boss probably won't; and if he or she doesn't, you could be looking at serious trouble. Sexuality, then, when it comes to the work place-when it comes to appropriate relationships with co-workers-must be BROADLY defined. If it has to do with clothes, the body, AT ALL, leave it alone.
- Race and gender are sensitive issues these days. Appropriate relationships with co-workers, therefore, will keep race and gender on the sidelines. Everyone at work is a human being, plain and simple-it's best to keep that in mind when considering appropriate relationships with co-workers. It's not that you don't want to be nice; it's not that you don't want to be friendly; it's not that you want this cold, aloof environment where no one laughs and everyone just miserably hunches over their little pile of responsibility. It is possible, though, to create a nice friendly little environment and still stick strictly to the "rules" outlined above. Do so, and you can revel in the extra security that comes with common sense and discipline.
