Should You Date Someone at Work?

Sometimes, there's nothing more intriguing than an office romance. It's fun to send flirty texts and instant messages during the day, and sneak off together at lunch. It can even be inspiring to stay late and work on a project together, instead of meeting your friends for happy hours.

But does the promise of intrigue and romance mean you should date someone at the office?

First, it's best to consider your position compared to the co-worker you're interested in dating. Is this person your boss? If so, it could make things complicated. If you get a promotion or a raise, others might think it's because of your personal relationship. Or if the relationship turns ugly, it could mean losing your job. Also, the company might have a strict policy when it comes to inter-office dating, so make sure you know what it is before you make a move and put your job at risk.

If the person is a subordinate, others might think you're playing favorites when you offer him or her a raise or promotion. Also, you should consider whether you can trust the person, because he could be using you to get ahead.

Another aspect to consider is how important your current job and career are to you. If you would be happy to leave your workplace in case the relationship doesn't work out, then it makes it easier to date someone in the office. However, if you have worked years to achieve a certain position or gain the trust of your co-workers, you have a lot more to lose. If career is more important, it's best to pursue romance outside the office.

You should also consider your proximity to your office beau. If he works in the cubicle or office next to yours and you can hear his conversations, it might be awkward. Do you really want to hear about the other women he's seeing?

The main consideration is, how important is the relationship to you, and how important is your job? Many married couples met each other on the job, so it's a good place for romance to blossom. But it's also a risk, so just be aware from the beginning: know what you want and what you are willing to lose.