First of all, any romance blossoming in an office is sure to provoke plenty of gossip. Other companies class relationships between colleagues a grave offense and a reason to fire you. Make sure you know the policy in your place of work before initiating anything. Having a relationship with someone you work with will affect your decision making especially if one of you works for the other. On the other hand, if you do the same job, being competitive at work might affect your relationship. Other workers might feel intimidated by your partnership.

If you ask someone at work out on a date and they refuse, it could be very embarrassing having to work together afterwards.

There are also benefits to dating someone you work with. You will understand each other's work pressures and timetables. You can share transport to work. You get to spend all day with one another.

If you date someone at work, you should make your first few dates discreet. Do not go somewhere that other employers frequent. Go to a restaurant, bar or cinema further afield. If the relationship does not work out or you do not get along, things can go back to how they were and nobody at work will know that anything ever happened.

Having a relationship with a co-worker means that you must continue being professional in the workplace. Intimate behavior at work will not be tolerated and will upset the other staff. You must keep your working life and your private life separate.

If you really like someone at work, ask him or her on a date. You never know – you might end up in a wonderful relationship!

Do You Want to Date Your Co-Worker?