Younger workers are less accepting of office relationships than previous generations, as only half (50%) of Gen Z workers think meeting a partner at work is socially acceptable, according to new research.
A study of over 2,000 UK adults by dating app happn found that this is the lowest approval rate of any generation, compared to Millennials (55%), Baby Boomers (63%) and Gen X (64%).
A third (32%) of Gen Z actively disapprove of workplace relationships, with concerns about professionalism, productivity and career impact. Among those against office romances, 73 percent said they are a distraction that reduces productivity, while 61 percent believe they are unprofessional. Another 60 percent think personal and professional lives should remain separate and 42 percent worry about how a breakup could affect team dynamics.
Career reputation is another factor influencing Gen Z’s views, with 30 percent concerned that a workplace romance could harm their professional image. In contrast, Millennials are more accepting of office relationships, with 52 percent saying they allow them to meet a partner despite long working hours.
Workplace Romance: Still Common Among UK Workers
Although Gen Z’s attitudes are changing, workplace relationships remain a reality for many UK employees. Overall, 59 percent of UK adults believe office romances are socially acceptable and 43 percent have met a current or former partner at work.
Some see benefits in dating a colleague, including spending more time together on the commute (35%) and coordinating social plans more easily (29%). A small proportion (12%) even enjoy the workplace gossip that can come with office romances.
Despite this general acceptance, 23 percent of UK adults have kept an office relationship secret. The most common method of avoiding detection is acting like “just friends” in front of colleagues (59%), while others take precautions such as commuting separately (16%).
Some take a more daring approach to hiding workplace relationships. Among those who have kept their romance secret, 35 percent admitted to sharing a kiss at work, 16 percent have held hands under desks or in corridors and 14 percent have played footsie without anyone noticing.
Setting Professional Boundaries at Work
Claire Rénier, dating expert at happn, noted the generational shift in attitudes towards office relationships.
“Work has long been a place for people to meet, connect and in some cases even fall in love – so why hide it? As long as professionalism is maintained by both individuals, then there’s nothing to fear,” she said. “It’s interesting to see Gen Z breaking away from established trends of previous generations. If they don’t agree with workplace romances, they are well within their rights and it is all a matter of personal preferences.”
For employees open to workplace relationships, clear boundaries and professionalism are key to maintaining a healthy balance between personal and professional life. Ensuring that office dynamics remain unaffected and understanding employer policies on workplace relationships can help prevent potential conflicts.