Citizen TV Anchor On Marrying HR Months Into His New Job

A lot of stories regarding relationships and marriages that were born within the workplace have inspired many to romantically venture into a territory frowned upon for years, with some companies having policies against office relationships.

However, at Royal Media Services (RMS), tales of couples who work together in the media house giant and are married to each other are commonplace, despite the media itself being one of the world's most rigorous professions, from the long hours to the demanding, high-pressure environment. 

You might be familiar with the likes of Lulu Hassan and Rashid Abdalla, media couples who found love at RMS. Did you know that Citizen TV news anchor Wycliffe Orandi met his wife at the very same media house?

Speaking on Tuesday, September 5 in an interview with Cynthia Mwangi on the Behind The Mic show, Orandi disclosed that he met Sheila Achieng at the last place anyone would dare to look, the Human Resource (HR) department, a few months into his new job.

Citizen TV news anchor Wycliffe Orandi and his wife, Sheila Achieng during their wedding on September 7, 2019. /STANDARD DIGITAL

He told an astounded Mwangi that anyone can brew relationships in any department as long as you have that likeable character, as was his case, assuring that people were just human beings in their positions.

"We met here at work...she used to work in the HR department...if you're a friendly person and people like your vibe and everything, there's nothing you should be scared about...HR is just human beings

"It happened that we got to know each other then plans got underway and she left and I remained here, but I still visit the HR department and I still know a few people there," he revealed.

Orandi tied the knot to Achieng on September 7, 2019, at Christ Is The Answer Ministries (CITAM) church in Karen in a colourful wedding ceremony attended by, among others, close family members, friends and colleagues including; Mike Okinyi, Patrick Igunza and Hassan Mugambi.

The two lovebirds met at the RMS, where Wycliffe worked as a radio presenter at Hot 96, while Achieng was a deputy Human Resource Manager.

Wycliffe Orandi Profile

Orandi is a journalist with a passion for political, social and sports news. He has been in the media industry since 2006 when he graduated from Daystar University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication – Electronic Media – and a Minor in Business Administration and Management.

He started working at Hope FM as a News Presenter, Reporter and Online Editor, before moving to Easy FM (now Nation FM) in 2009 as a News Presenter, and also the News Editor. He then ventured into TV, by joining K24 as a Prime Time Sports News Anchor and Reporter.

Orandi later joined Royal Media Services as a News Presenter on Hot 96 FM, before going back to TV at Citizen TV as a News Anchor. He is also a voice artist who was born and raised in Nairobi and loves watching movies and road trips.

Dating At The Workplace

Psychology experts reveal that one of the reasons coworkers fall for each other is that they spend a tremendous amount of time at work and, if one puts people in close proximity, working together, having open, vulnerable conversations.

Before you act on your feelings, it’s important to think through the risks, and there are quite a few. Of course, there’s the chance that the relationship won’t work out and that there will be hurt feelings on one or both sides.

There are also potential conflicts of interest, a dual relationship principle referred to as an “ironclad rule” in psychotherapy that therapists cannot have any relationships with patients beyond their professional ones. 

The same rule however does not apply between coworkers given that many people are close friends with colleagues, for example, but having multiple relationships with someone creates potential conflicts of interest that can be hard to resolve.

A couple in an office. /FILE

"I always say there is nothing wrong with that...as long as it doesn't affect your work and it doesn't affect you guys as well, everyone stays in their department and you meet after work," Orandi advises.

"If you are mature people, you'll understand each other and know how to work around it. You'll sit down and have a small meeting saying what you don't like and what you like."

Your professionalism may be called into question, especially if people don’t see your motives for entering the relationship as positive.

Some colleagues may think you’re giving your romantic partner preferential treatment or vice versa. Moreover, having a relationship with someone higher up in the organization can create an alternate explanation for why you’re succeeding.

Rules of Dating Coworkers

1. Take it slow by being friends inside and outside the office before you make any moves
2. Know the formal policy by checking the company handbook to find out if there are any policies related to interoffice relationships. Even if there are no explicit policies against it, find out how upper management feels about office romances.
3. Avoid your boss or direct reports, especially if you're thinking about pursuing an office romance, consider your rank or position, as well as theirs. Dating your boss or your direct report can be particularly dangerous for a variety of reasons.
4. Keep things quiet early on. People either don't care, will think it's obnoxious or inappropriate, or will get jealous.
5. You and your new partner need to agree on some ground rules and come up with a plan for how you will keep it professional and stay within written or unwritten rules.
6. Be professional at all times as you may have the burden of overcompensating with professionalism and keeping an artificial distance, which can be an awkward strain
7. Be sensitive and respectful to others. Focus on work and do your job especially if you want to mitigate gossip.