PlanJam!From your screen to the scene

It's bound to happen. When people work together, they spend a great deal amount of time with each other, and attractions can happen. However, today there are many reasons why you should carefully consider how you handle an office romance. First, there may be legal consequences, so it is best to know all there is regarding your company's polices regarding workplace dating and sexual harassment.

Sexual Harassment is defined as any inappropriate comments, touching, or displaying of materials that are sexual in nature. In some instances, if a man is attracted to a woman (or vice versa) and they share an office space, things may quickly blur the lines between an innocent crush or attraction and sexual harassment. Some offices have instituted a "zero tolerance" policy and forbid any type of office romance to begin with. This means that you will have to deal with your attraction on your own, or find another job.

Some companies request that if there is a workplace romance taking place that it is reported to the management. This way they are aware of the relationship and can take appropriate action as necessary to ensure that the company is protected, should things go astray. One thing is for certain however; office romance can lead to many complications.

You may want to consider what the repercussions of an office romance will be. When a couple breaks up or has an argument then continues to see each other in the workplace, things can quickly become tense. Office managers and supervisors understand this and would prefer to avoid these situations altogether. Trying to keep personal and professional lives separate is challenging for everyone. An office romance turned sour can definitely have a negative impact on work performance in general.

In many cases, simple flirting is also discouraged and may be looked at as a subtle form of sexual harassment. Again, this can cause the lines between attraction and the law to blur. Many companies prefer that their workplaces discourage all forms of flirting. Of course, this can be extremely difficult when men and women are working together.

There is a fine line between sexual harassment and being unprofessional. Many situations that occur in the workplace may be deemed unprofessional, but are not necessarily sexual harassment and could be punished by law. If you are attracted to someone in the workplace and are considering asking him or her out on a date, then you need to proceed with caution. Begin by finding out what your HR department's standards are for office romance. Make sure that your interested party truly is receptive of these feelings before initiating any personal contact. If you do have the "go ahead" to pursue a relationship, or if you are going to ask him or her out and they turn you down, sincerely apologize for your mistake and drop it. If you continue to pursue him or her, you are crossing those boundaries and could be headed for legal trouble down the road. As in any situation in life, treat others with respect, dignity, and be courteous at all times…especially if you're considering an office romance.