How to work with an ex in a professional environment

Melbourne: Have you ever broken up with someone romantically and had to face them in the office the next day? Nothing could be more awkward, but an expert suggests ways you can avoid the sticky situation. Michelle Moore, the president of a public relations firm in Columbus, Ohio, works with her divorced husband of 10 years, but doesn’t mind it.

"We actually make a great team professionally," The Age quoted her as saying. "My ex appreciates my creativity and public relations skills. I appreciate his design talents and branding instincts," she added. Working with an ex requires a great amount of common sense and maturity. Moore advises against badmouthing an ex or expressing your emotions in public. She suggests praising an ex in front of people, it will help you behave and feel better around him or her. Doing what your are good at is a good idea, instead of fretting about your ex partner. Also, never exchange personal messages on your work computer or phone. "If you have a direct reporting relationship to your ex, you might consider coming clean to that person`s superior," says Rosemarie Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder.com. But the scenario is tougher if your ex is also your business partner. Linda Kerns, a Philadelphia divorce lawyer, says that couples who double as business partners need to have the same checks and balances that corporations use. Both parties should have equal access to a company`s financial records, at the very least. "It`s natural that when you start a new business you`re not thinking about this. But relationships don`t always work out," Kerns added. ANI