We've all heard that we shouldn't mix business and pleasure, but the average adult spends most of their waking hours at work each week. That means the easiest place to meet someone, and fall in love, is on the job. But before you become the topic of water-cooler gossip, be sure to consider a few things.

If either you or your partner hold a position of power over the other, your company may have strict rules about any relationship that forms between the two of you. A supervisor dating an employee can sometimes lead to sexual harassment lawsuits, and most companies try to avoid that scandal by discouraging inter-office dating. Before you make any moves, check your company handbook for any written rules about dating fellow employees. If your employer expressly forbids it, one of you may need to find another job.

If you and your partner work closely together, you're on the same team, you work the same shift, or you have cubicles right next to one another, your jobs may suffer if the relationship comes to an end. Carefully consider how much you're willing to risk your career for this relationship. And, even if your job remains intact, understand that you may become the subject of malicious office gossip.

Do you still want to date a co-worker? Just remember to keep it discreet. Ideally, you should be so professional with one another at work that no one even realizes the two of you are dating. That is the only way to keep people from gossiping and recognizing you from anything other than your fabulous work ethic.

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