Romance in the workplace -- is it dangerous?

Since graduating from college, I've worked for 3 companies, and I have seen at least one workplace relationship bloom at each one.

It seems most companies don't explicitly forbid workplace relationships, but people involved in them aim to keep the relationships under wraps nonetheless.

The danger in having a romantic relationship with a coworker is obvious: what happens if the relationship goes sour? Would it create a more hostile work environment for those in the relationship as well as everyone around them?

The bottom line is that you don't want to do anything to jeopardize your job. If both people are certain they can leave their relationship at home and not let their relationship woes (if any) seem into their work lives, then I don't see a problem with carrying on.

This, of course, is assuming both people work in the same department. If you work for Sales and he works for Human Resources, you likely won't interact with one another, posing even fewer potential headaches.

While workplace romance isn't very common, I do see people flirt with each other quite a lot. I don't see any problem with it as long as people remain professional and respectful of one another. You don't want to find yourself embroiled in a sexual harassment lawsuit -- that's for sure!

What's your take on romance in the workplace? Do you feel it's risky or dangerous?

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