How does one have a successful relationship with someone you work with? I work with my boyfriend. We have been dating for over a year now. During that time, we’ve had our share of ups and downs but it is truly a great friendship and attraction that we’ve got.
I’m concerned that working together is keeping us from moving forward at a pace that is comfortable for us. When we started dating, he was part time and neither of us thought it was likely that we would be working together for long as he had other plans lined up. Due to the economy, those plans took some turns that lead to him becoming a full time employee. He works many, many hours and we hardly spend time together during the week. We’ve talked about how this situation will be the case for some time; the economy has humbled us both and made us very grateful to have jobs we enjoy, with people we enjoy, in an environment that is accepting of our romantic relationship (pretty much everyone knows, though there’s no PDA involved).
I feel like by not having control over when we see each other and in what context has created a tricky situation: we don’t control when we see each other, nor can we have real hellos when we do, a hug would be great but not professional. We’ve talked about the general pace of how we want things and slow is truly better for each of us. But, now that it’s been over a year and I know how I feel about him, I want more flexibility and time together… but I’d also like to keep my job. I enjoy it and it isn’t a good time in the world to just leave. I want to give this relationship a real shot but I also want to give my job a real shot too.
— Girlfriend/Coworker, Boston