Surviving an office romance

Never toy with emotions

Only get involved romantically with someone at work if you are seriously interested. Innocent flirting is all very well but take it further flippantly and lord knows what frightening repercussions it may have. Beware of the bunny boiler, the serial stalker or the trophy hunter.

Do your research

Most women don't need to be told this, but for all those hopeless males out there, it's a good idea to check out your intended's personality, so that you can be sure he/she is worth the effort.

Make sure they’re single

Try to make sure they don't have a wife/husband/partner. You don't want to be beaten to a pulp in the office.

Be discreet

If you are in the early stages of a romantic tryst, it pays to be very, very careful. You don't want tongues wagging and ruining your chances with your intended. Plus you want to play it cool - if people start gossiping about how keen you are, you're done for.

Keep it hush-hush

However open and broadminded companies claim to be, most would rather you pillow-talked to someone who works elsewhere. So it's best to keep your ardour under wraps for as long as possible. Obviously, once the wedding bells are ringing, it's time to come out of the stationery closet and look for a new job.

Do not commit email hari-kari

Cutesy messages, graphic sexual fantasies or a love poem will be recorded for posterity and could be used against you. Furthermore, never send a ‘padded bear' Valentine. Or write salacious messages on the office birthday card.

Exercise self-restraint

The volatile mix of work colleagues and alcohol is a recipe for disaster. Never go past first base in the workplace.

Try not to chuck him/her before you know that one of you is leaving the company
Otherwise your formerly ‘cute habits' will be scrawled over company whiteboards, your laptop will be sabotaged and checking your email will become an act of heroism. It will also be time to kiss promotion and perhaps your job goodbye.

Act cool

I'f you've been dumped, lick your wounds in private but in public pretend that life is a bed of roses. Always have a smile at work and laugh uproariously in your ex's presence who will be so mortified that you're having a good time that he/she will try to worm their way back into your affections.