Joe and Sally always flirted by the photocopier machine, bantered about sugar in coffee. Eventually Joe took the plunge and asked Sally out. Was Joe in the wrong? Is Joe making a big mistake? It’s understandable enough to fall for your co-workers. When you spend the majority of your life with a group of like minded people it’s hard not to fantasize about producing inter office babies. In the industry I work in everyone is around the same age (mid 20′s to mid 30′s) the lines of friends/lover/colleagues becomes blurry. I have fallen victim to dating in the office before. More then once I had to admit. Sometimes I need to take the stairs to avoid certain people. I’ve learnt from my mistake I think now and can offer some sort of guidance!

Top 4 tips for office relationships

1. Keep it Mature
If both parties make a mutual agreement to talk through an issues along the way it’s going to make for a much smoother ride. Talk seriously about the responses you’ve mutually agreed on to tell colleagues when questions are asked.

2. Keep the distance
During the working day keeping a distance is the easiest way to keep it professional. No sneaky meetings at the photocopier or tea station. Keep work emails to a minimum. Also don’t forget to engage with your other colleagues at lunch time.

3. Transfer teams
This is probably something higher management will make the decision on, but if you are working in the same team at work it could be seen as an unfair adventure. Talk to your upper management about opportunities to work away from your partner to keep the peace.

4. Protect your credibility.
Career first, love life second when you are in the workplace. If you feel the weight is shifting – change jobs. Hard advice but when the lines become blurry you could jeopardize your career or your relationships.

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