Watch to find how you can avoid the drama.

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Even if office liaisons are often treated as taboo, the fact that one is in close contact with one’s co-workers every day makes it a natural environment for attraction to develop. While a romantic relationship with one’s officemate can be a veritable landmine, there are ways you can minimize or even eliminate all the accompanying drama.

1 – Be aware of office policy

Before you make a move, check your HR handbook if the company has any rules against dating the people you work with. Otherwise, it’s not just your relationship that may end up in flaming ruins.

Even if there are no specific guidelines against inter-office relationships, it’s never a good idea to date your direct superior.

2 – Romance is secondary to work

You’re in the office to work, not send heart emojis through your office computer. Avoid using company time to pursue your relationship and make sure it’s not affecting your work performance.

3 – Break times are your friend

Just because you’re supposed to put work first before relationships don’t mean there are no opportunities to meet. Lunch breaks are great times to spend time with your crush while with other people, especially in the feeling-out phase. Once the two of you get more comfortable with each other, one-on-one time during coffee breaks are always possible.

4 – Be serious about the relationship first before telling others

The last thing you want is to be front and center for any office gossip. So even if your relationship with your co-worker turns serious, tell only those people who you trust.

5 – Maintain your professionalism

Even if things are going well between you and your co-worker, any public display of affection in front of other people in the office is a big no-no. No matter how casual the office culture is, never do anything inappropriate that would make other people in the workplace uncomfortable.

And if things don’t work out, make sure to stay professional with that person. Always be kind and don’t let the breakup affect your work. That’s easier said than done but that’s why office relationships can always be a delicate juggling act. But it’s definitely not impossible!