Most people hope to have great co-workers and to have a decent enough relationship with them, however, what if it is a little more than just a decent relationship? Workplace romance isn’t nearly as rare as many think it is or hopes it is. Today, we spoke to five Nigerians about dating their co-workers.
Ivie, 26.
It was my boss at the first company I worked at when I came back. Our colleagues always joked that he was married with kids but I had spoken to him and gone to his house where he lived with his housemate so it was hard to believe. Anyway, we started going out, we’d go home together some days or work late in the office some days. It didn’t get in the way of the working dynamics as far as I remember. Anyway, I found out he was married (no kids) after two months and he brought his elder sister to the office to beg me saying they’ve been separated and just not gotten a divorce etc💀 so embarrassing. Anyway, I hadn’t started having sex then and he was gonna be the first. He was the “first” alright except it wasn’t consensual. Anyway, I left the company after that and never spoke to him again.
Collin, 32.
You know how people are always scared of HR finding out they are dating a co-worker? I was sleeping with HR. We didn’t plan it but the sexual tension and chemistry were just wow. The first time was when he and I stayed back in the office because I had a project I needed to turn in and he was filling something. We ended up kissing and we started sleeping with each other for a year. I stopped being into it a few months in but he was there and was easy dick so why not. It stopped because my next job took me out of the vicinity.
Jonathan, 30.
We were already dating before my partner got a job where I work. I was angry because workplace relationships are so tricky to navigate but I tried to ignore my anger because he needed steady employment. I couldn’t keep that up for long so my anger bubbles to the surface and we fought because it was unfair for him to not tell me first. Even though we talked about it and got past that, I still had reservations about the entire arrangement. But it’s been chill so far. It’s still weird though. We interact at work but are careful to not act too chummy so no one gets any ideas. Then there’s the whole hiding the relationship from everyone which is exhausting. That being said, it also has it’s perks. Even though my case has been great, I wouldn’t advise anyone to do it. I think it’s weird for a couple’s lives to be so intertwined. Do as I say, not as I do.
Tayo, 25.
I was working at this tech startup last year and the culture was very lax which is very different from other places I have worked. Because of that, I didn’t immediately clock that the head of the team I was on was flirting with me. He would give me rides and advice and stuff like that. Then one day, he tried kissing me. I was like ‘Uhm, no.’ He kept asking and pressuring and I didn’t want to but it’s a bit hard to say no to your superior because of how people are or can be. We hooked up a few times, it wasn’t bad but he kept wanting more. I eventually left for a different job where I was the team head. I highly advise startups to take HR seriously. The way the HR was set up at mine, I knew reporting to them would get back to the guy so what was the point?
