In a recent human resource survey, it was concluded that almost 75 per cent of employees get romantically attached to their office workers. Furthermore, men with position are the most likely to be charged with sexual assault. It is for this reason that companies have been very strict in allowing men with managerial positions to have affairs with employees who are directly reporting to them. For some married employees, an office workplace tends to be a hideout for emotional adultery.



Remember that there are consequences to this kind of relationship and some are:

- It can affect other's productivity if the persons involved are not performing well as before;

- Be ready to be other's meal for gossip;

- Romance in the office is often used by the owners of the business in changing some rules to providing benefits or increases. This in turn will lead to antipathy from co-workers;

- Spiteful co-workers might try to interfere and cause disruption to the person's work. They can use this to sabotage the person's career, work and relationship with other officemates;

- Some are reputed to be social climbers if the person having affair with holds a position;

- Sad to admit, but women in other companies are asked to resign after learning of their current relationship. For a more lenient company, they are asked to be transferred to another department or site;

- The office becomes an inconvenient place for both of the parties after a break up. They would find discomfort working in the same office or company all the more if the other is a subordinate to another;

- If it's a bad break up, the one in position can be held responsible if something bad happens to the other's career. This could be in a form or salary increase, cutting of benefits, assigning of more workloads, etc. It could also be a way for other to really use the position in order to get even;

- No matter how hard for one of the parties to work to get a promotion, there is always doubt about the promotion;

- Aside from emotional issues, legal issues may arise.

The only way to get all of these to prevent from happening is to make sure that the relationship is kept at a professional level. Actually the best thing to do is to try to keep away from it. But if this cannot be avoided, then some rules must also be applied. Keep the secret for as long as possible and never ever use business funds as means of getting the relationship by.

It is best to seek advise from tenured office workers in the company first. This is the best way to know the company's stand point regarding such situations. As much as possible never fall for someone within the same department or anyone from the management as this could cause ripples in the end. Being quiet about the whole situation is a good idea. A couple or three, which is the maximum should be enough as confidante.

Since everybody can more or less tell how one performs in the office, never allow the relationship thing affect performance. Using business emails and screen names are also a NO-NO in this situation as this can easily be detected. The same applies when using the company phone; no one knows when a call can be recorded.

Be extra careful not to show any public display of affection and more importantly, avoid having sexual acts within the company's premises like stair cases, back doors, garage, supply rooms and the like. If it can't really be avoided, then look for back up job. The place is not secure anymore for neither of the parties involved.

Rule of thumb is, do not get into an affair with someone in the same office. Consider the things that might happen. It could interfere to a big career move. It is very uncertain and challenging. Love is the best thing to happen as long as certain limitations are kept in order. Talk to the other person who is showing interest. The situation can be under control as long as both is not after taking advantage of another and settles with a compromise.