Cupid’s arrow is hitting its target with Black Americans on the job as Valentine’s Day approaches.
Some 41 of 200 of those workers quizzed have embraced romantic relationships since returning to the office (RTO), based on data provided to BLACK ENTERPRISE. Office love has been reported as something that can bring pros and cons, with a cautious approach often recommended to partakers.
It seems Valentine’s Day is every day at some jobs. A robust 95% of Blacks who have entered romantic relationships since returning to the
office are now involved with a coworker. Around 46% stated it had a positive impact on their work, while 12% report the opposite. Some 54% choose not to disclose their relationship matters. All told, ResumeBuilder.com surveyed nearly 1,450 workers aged 18 to 44 at companies that have applied to an RTO policy and mandated employees work there at least once a week.Other findings for Black workers revealed that 14 out of the 41 report the relationship involved a subordinate, while 21 of 41 say a superior. Some seven out 41 report the relationship got them a raise or promotion.
The work-romance analysis comes as Americans overall are expected to spend a record-breaking $14.2 billion this year on Valentine’s Day, including $2.6 billion on flowers, the National Retail Federation reported. Consumers are anticipated to shell out almost $186 per person on average.
The survey unveiled that the type of those the relationships were broad. They included dating (38%), serious (28%), marriage (17%), very casual (9%), and engaged (7%).
Resume Builder’s Resume and Career Strategist Julia Toothacres offered her take on the topic in a news release.
“While in-office romance has always been around, it’s important to understand the implications of these relationships. There is a power dynamic when it’s a boss/subordinate relationship, which can lead to things like favoritism or getting let go if the relationship ends.”
She added, “I encourage people to check their employee handbook for policies around dating co-workers. Some places don’t allow it, and others require you to acknowledge the relationship.”
Overall, those who stated there is or was a positive impact chalk that up to being more excited to go to work (82%), improving mental health (66%), or the relationship helping them get a raise or promotion (45%).
For those who disclosed a negative impact, they say it mainly stemmed from being stressful to go to work (62%), distraction (58%), and worsening mental health (35%). Some 54% did not disclose a relationship to human resources.
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