He’s new to the organisation so your boss asks you to

show him the ropes and take him around. At first you were not up for it but

then you realised his butt looked good in those pants and when he smiled his

dimples stood out like a beacon.

Yup, there’s definitely chemistry and you can see your

future children already. However, he is your co worker and there are so many

things that can go sideways and make your office environment uncomfortable if

not downright toxic. So should you chance it, or leave well enough alone?

Firstly, you better ensure that your company does not

have policies in place against co-workers fraternising. Some entities do and if

you are caught commingling then one or both of you can lose your job. Since a

bank has never cashed love, it makes no sense to lose your jobs over it.

Additionally, look at the parameters of relationship

boundaries at the office as simple greetings and compliments today can be

termed as ‘harassment’ if it goes sour down the road. Knowing your rights early

can save you time, headache and even a lawsuit later on.

Even with knowing what the rules are, you go ahead because

you are in love and they’re ‘the one’ for you. Now he/she expects you to spend

all your free time including your coffee break with them. Pretty soon you

realise all of your time in office and at home is in the company of the same

person to the exclusion of all others. What was cute initially becomes

exhausting over time since the person does not even give you a chance to miss

them. With a workplace romance, you spend so many hours together it can get overwhelming.

Some office affairs end so badly that one person has

to be transferred to another department or even another branch because it interfered

with the actual work and the boss did you a favour by not firing you for

compromising the work environment.

But why chance it? Jobs are harder to find than a partner

so your best bet is to keep it neutral until one party finds an opportunity elsewhere.

Until then, you can make do with platonic water cooler break.