You spend 40-odd hours a week there, so it’s not really surprising that the new guy in accounts has started to look like your next potential husband… In fact, studies estimate that almost half of us have dated a colleague – with almost 30 per cent of us destined to end up getting hitched as a result! But it’s not all flirting by the photocopier – your reputation is on the line too, especially if you’re not one of the 30 per cent. Here’s how to manage it like a pro.

Do’s

Keep it a secret for as long as possible. Not only will it minimise any pressure on the ‘where to from here’, but you’ll be less likely to be the butt of jokes from your colleagues. And the secret of it adds an extra level of spice that’s undeniably hot!

Check for actual sparks. Especially when you’re unhappy in your job, having someone to share every moment of your daily battles with is tempting. “Make sure that you’re both in the relationship for the right reasons, not just because you’re finding refuge and comfort from the day-to-day work grind,” says Stephanie Losee, co-author of Office Mate: The Employee Handbook for Finding — and Managing — Romance on the Job.

Know the location of security cameras. Doing things you shouldn’t be doing at work is one thing, but getting caught – with video evidence no less – is a whole other, cringe-worthy thing.

Beware of office politics. Make sure to ask yourself what you want out of the relationship and be clear about what your job means to you. “You have to be realistic about how the impact of dating a co-worker could affect your career,” says Caitlin Friedman, co-author of The Girl’s Guide to Kicking Your Career Into Gear, “so while you might be tempted to think only in the moment, it’s smart to envision your goals five years down the road.” 

Don’ts

Hit ‘send’. That email you were about to shoot across to him with your suggested plans for a sleepless weekend away, signed off with a stream of x’s? It might not be as private as you think. It’s not unheard of for bosses – or the guys in IT – to monitor company email accounts. So stick to Gmail.

Date your boss. Just don’t. Best case scenario – you’ll always be a little unsure whether it was your work or ‘extra-curricular’ skills that landed you that promotion. Worst case – you’ll never get that promotion and you’ll end up feeling forced to look for a new job.

Get busy at the office. “I personally know of three separate occasions where couples were outed by the cleaning staff who walked in on their ‘meeting,'” says Kimberly Yorio, co-author of The Girl’s Guide to Kicking Your Career Into Gear. Even lingering gazes from across the room will creep everyone around you out. Private stuff should remain private. ‘Nuff said.

Forget what work will be like if you break-up. Discuss the ‘what-ifs’ with your guy before you get too involved to figure out what you would do if you broke up. Agree to be professional above anything else and keep your work and private lives separate.