When choosing your significant other, the last place you might look is in the office. While we spend so much time separating work from our personal lives, what happens when sparks fly with a co-worker or client? You can either choose to ignore these feelings and keep the relationship professional. Or you can take the plunge and challenge yourself to build a healthy relationship with a partner you found in a professional environment.

Think Long and Hard

The last thing you want to do is dive face-first into a relationship with someone you need to engage with professionally. The best thing you can do for yourself if you start to develop feelings for someone you need to work with is to take your time. Evaluate the situation, and don’t rush into something that might jeopardize the quality of your working environment.

Secure the Bag

Many companies have policies in place regarding romantic relationships among co-workers and clients. The policies are set in place to protect both you and the place you work for. Don’t lose your paycheck because you broke company policy. Before you even consider taking a relationship from professional to intimate, check in with HR about company policy.

Focus Extra Time on Work-Life Balance

Being romantic with someone you work with can blur the lines between your personal and work life. If you do end up dating someone from work, you need to spend extra time balancing your work and personal life. Make sure you know when it’s time to leave the office at the office and enjoy your regular life. Take time to discuss and share your day with one another, but be intentional about changing the conversation away from work.

Be Aware of Any Power Dynamics

Dating a co-worker or a client is one thing, but choosing to date your boss or a subordinate is another ballpark. In this situation, you should avoid engaging in any intimate relationship. Power dynamics take the level of control and respect between two people in an intimate relationship to

places they should never go in the first place. It is not smart to date someone you know has control over any aspect of your career or whose career you have control over.

Things can get complicated quickly when it comes to dating in a professional atmosphere. It’s best to be honest with yourself about the situation. Take your time to think before indulging in an intimate relationship with someone you work with.