DANGEROUS LIAISONSof the other partner. The question of blackmail—"Fire me and
I'll spread our affair all around"—is countered by "If you want
decent references, play ball!"
Sometimes it's important to get out of an affair before it starts.
Ending the affair is a difficult problem, and, as Art sensed, such
a quick way to the end of a job that the best possible advice is
don't, under any circumstances, date anyone on a higher level
than you. Good advice, but since we're all human, it is not always
followed.
ROMANCE IN THE OFFICE
Should romance in the office be off-limits altogether? Is there no
place for it? The truth is, many marriages and lasting relationships
have come out of office romances. The logic runs: What better
place is there for a woman to find an eligible man? Or a man an
eligible woman? It is only when the relationship is out of kilter
that danger sets in.
Art, in falling for an older woman higher on the corporate ladder,
stepped onto shaky ground. Leslie, in attempting to seduce a
man in a higher position in order to get ahead, was in that same
danger zone. Leslie's subtext was very obvious, but false. Art's
subtext, less obvious, still had a note of insincerity about it. He
had no intention of going on to a serious commitment, something
his boss was looking for.
On an equal and honest footing, the subtexts can all mesh
easily. "I like you." "I want to know you better." "I might even
be falling in love." There is nothing wrong with those signals.
There is only danger when they interfere with the job or with
relationships on the job.