After losing my job in January 2009, I have been unable to find a new position. I haven’t even been called for an interview, even after sending out hundreds of resumes. I signed up with Workforce One for help finding a job. They still have not sent me on an interview.
Therefore, it is highly unlikely I will be having an affair with anyone at the work place.
I wonder if I sleep with the guys at Workforce One, maybe then I can get an interview.

It may not be common but I think it can. I also think it depends on the industry, type of job and personalities of the people involved. Why personalities? If you are a hound always looking for a bone or a cat on a hot tin roof well, the office affair is just what it is-an affair. Nothing more nothing less. Let’s face it flings happen all the time and unfortunately it may be with the boss and a subordinate. If it’s not consenual it’s sexual harrassment and/or abuse of authority. I believe the two feel completely different. With all the sensationalism we see on TV about office love, a romance with your boss these days are welcomed and embraced. How does that affect the workplace? I’m sure there are pros and cons (I’ll venture to say the cons out weigh the positives). But a true ongoing love affair between mature people is something different,rare, and it does not cause the same problems or hazards that an office fling does. Usually both parties have an interest in making sure the workplace doesn’t become a circus all about them. But again industry, job, position and personalities play an important part. Just think First Lady Michelle and President Obama’s romance started on the job. I bet she’s glad she overlooked a few things to find the love of her life and he too.

I think that high level employees can have an affair with their boss that is truly consensual because someone at that level understands the potential consequence of their action and probably is not participating to advance their career. I think an overall renewed commitment to marriage/partners needs to happen throughout this country, however I don’t believe the personal interactions of co-workers is anyone’s business as long as it doesn’t impact their performance on the job.

i think that for the most part it is consensual everyone has their own decisions to make so take responsibility for them. The women could easily said no.

Unfortuntately this is quite common and my Husband the VP of IT in a fotune 500 company was terminated in 2007 for crossing that very line. Employees noticed that a particular woman was clearly receiving opportunities that she was not entitled to, and therefore an investigation was launched and so was he.

It still takes 2 to tango. As I understand Letterman was not married at the time. But who cares. Many a woman has worked her way to the top on her back. As my sister’s husband told me…let’s keep it in the FAMILY. He was rich and powerful. His Daddy did it in his time and Sonny followed in his Daddy’s footsteps!!!! The answer is YES or NO. Morals of a skunk…you betcha!!!!

During an interview, in which I was highly qualified for, I had instant chemistry with the hiring manager, who later became my boss and the two weeks before my first day on the job, we started a relationship. However, when he began acting extremely obsessive, I decided it wasn’t a good idea and tried to end it, the situation turned very sour and I was mistreated beyond belief. In the end HR stepped in and terminated him. I was shocked and thought I was going to get my walking papers, especially since he had been with the firm for many years, but in a professional corporate world there is behavior called non tolerance and HR will do whatever necessary to avoid potential lawsuits. Their policy being, if you’re in a role managing others, you are responsible to set the appropriate example. I would not recommend anyone in a supervisor or high level management role to become romantically involved with an employee. I was given legal advice to sue, but I loved my job and just wanted to be treated fairly, however, I’ve known others who wanted pay backs and a big pay check, either way, nobody wins.

You talk about two very different kinds of circumstances in your opening article. There’s a world of difference between becoming involved with someone at work and becoming involved with a boss or direct report. A relationship with a colleague or peer is less problematic and no doubt does happen more now with longer work days. But a relationship with someone who works directly for you, or to whom you directly report, is, has always been, and will always be a serious problem for both parties as well as anyone else in your organization. It’s just a bad idea and is likely end badly.

Adultery is NEVER right!

I never date anyone at work. Not co-workers or supervisor’s. All this new hiring for chemistry makes me uncomfortable. I think it is a little weird and inappropriate at work. I really prefer business to be business.

The question is, can an affair with boss, works? The answer is, Yes. If both parties knows how to take care of each other’s work, reputation and the secret affair.