Office Romances Are Fine - Until They Go Bad

Nora Roberts said, "Love and magic have a great deal in common. They enrich the soul, delight the heart. And they both take practice." But love and the workplace? Well, that is a different ballgame.

When co-workers spend most of their waking hours together, it almost always creates a strong bond. Co-workers have several apparent things in common that draw them together, not the least of which is the office itself. When they find that they root for the same team, love James Bond movies and are partial to red wine from California, it is a formula for romance.

While the romantic in each of us loves a great love story, employers must consider the possibility that relationships can be developed among office colleagues. Instead of ignoring office romances, employers should take action in advance to prevent unhappy — and often ugly — repercussions.

This article appeared in the February 6, 2013 edition of the Daily Business Review. Click on the link to the right to view the entire article.