Came across this article on the internet and thought it might be
worth sharing... 
The pros and cons of an in-house romance
With our working hours increasing every year, it's hardly
surprising that some of us find comfort in the arms of a
co-worker.
Our ever-increasing working hours and a corporate culture that
includes extensive post-work socialising, combine to create a
social hotbed in which office romances can't help but
blossom.
"I met Sarah when we worked on a project together," says Greg, a
marketing executive. "The attraction was instant and obvious
and by the time the project was over, we were talking about moving
in together," he says.
But in-house dating is not all meaningful glances across the office
and illicit lunchtime rendezvous. A failed workplace relationship
has the potential to lead to harassment and to a complaint under
the Sexual Discrimination Act, according to the Human Rights and
Equal Opportunity Commission.
"When we stopped seeing each other it was terrible," says Diane,
who dated co-worker Kerry for two months. "He took it really badly
and started saying things about me to others at work. It was really
hard," she says. Luckily, for Diane, her tormentor came to his
senses before any real damage was done.
And when love at work does go wrong, it's not just jilted lovers
who feel the pain.
The fallout
After the end of workplace liaisons, some employees claim they have
been the victim of sexual harassment, discrimination or unfair
dismissal. A woman who had an affair with a member of the family
that owned her firm claimed she was harassed out of a job after she
ended the relationship. The claim was settled out of court.
In the US, a jury awarded a woman US$250,000 for a sexual
harassment and discrimination claim after an office love went
wrong. Three years after ending an affair with a senior exec at her
workplace, the employee found she was out of a job. The exec had
gotten wind that she was in a new relationship and set about
intimidating and questioning her about the relationship. He
threatened her future with the company, and allegedly encouraged
her to end the relationship and come back to him. She received
compensation for lost pay, back pay, and punitive damages.
Little wonder then, that legal practice is stepping in to help
protect the rights of dating co-workers and their
employers.
Sign up before we hook up
In the US, dating co-workers can sign a "consensual relationship
agreement," or more commonly, a "love contract". A love contract is
a legal agreement between two employees which confirms that they
are in a consensual relationship. These agreements are brokered by
law firms.
Signing such a document allows the dating couple to come clean
about their affair, effectively protecting either party from future
sexual harassment claims from eachother should things head south.
The contract also covers the employer from any lawsuits that may
follow should the relationship disintegrate.
It is estimated that a few thousand such "love contracts" are
written in the States each year. This number is increasing along
with the number of hours we are spending at work. In Australia, the
average worker easily clocking up 40-plus hours per week; in the US
that number is closer to 45 hours per week.
How to do office romance the right way
Managing an in-house affair the right way requires all the skill
and dexterity of a circus performer. Keeping your professional
appearance, workload and personal life intact is a juggling act
that few have successfully mastered.
Don't make the relationship something it
isn't
If you want to keep things casual with your co-worker, say so at
the start. Your colleague-turned-lover will appreciate your honesty
more than they will appreciate being unceremoniously flicked after
one or two casual encounters.
Don't make it with the boss
There are sooo many reasons why this should be a no-go dating zone.
Firstly, your colleagues will gossip and complain if you get a pay
rise or a promotion no matter how much you've earned it. Second, if
things do go bad with the boss, there is a multitude of ways he or
she can make life uncomfortable for you around the workplace from
not approving holiday leave requests, to picking up where they left
off with another member of staff.
Don't make it public knowledge
Sure, the sparks flying between you two might be hard to miss, but
you don't need to send a group e-mail to the team advising them of
your dating status. Officially confirming an in-house relationship
is a risky move, even in an organisation that has more relaxed
policies on dating.
Don't throw caution to the wind
Sure, some relationships that start at work go on to bigger things.
But before you get frisky with a co-worker in the copier room, ask
yourself: "If this ends badly, how will it reflect on me and how
will it affect my career?"
Because if things do come to an end with an office affair, love
might not be the only thing you've lost ...