Office Romance is a never-never land for some people, but others pursue relationships with their co-workers without fear of backlash.

Some of these relationships have even blossomed into marriage.

"It is OK to be involved with a colleague but you just have to understand that there is a time and place for everything," Kadian Blacktold Saturday Life.

"You leave your personal life at your doorsteps and pick them up when you get home," she added.

"Of course, office romance is not a big deal," 30-year-old Anna-Kay Lintontold Saturday Life.

"We are adults and as long as we can separate our professional life from our personal life, come what may, if we have to part, then it can be done professionally," said Linton.

She added: "We are professional partners during the day, and after 5 p.m. we are bed partners."

Not the best route

But Gregory Charltondoesn't agree.

"I have been involved in an office romance but it's not the best route to go," said Charlton.

He continued: "I don't like it because the person can see all the time."

Charlton said, depending on the company's policy on office romance, the relationship can become uncomfortable because lovers have to continue hiding.

"Never again!" exclaimed Ann-Marie Goulson, whose office romance got bitter after she left her partner.

"He hurt me really, really badly and I still cannot get over it and the worst part is that I had to see him every day," she said, adding that it was the main reason why she left a job which she enjoyed.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com

Names changed

Pros and cons of office romance

PROS

1 You know he or she has a job. You know how he or she is thought of at work.

2 You have a lot in common and can be more productive because you have this in common.

3 There is an understanding of each other's work schedules. One of you isn't angry if the other has to work late because you have a better understanding of what's involved.

CONS

1 If you break up or have a fight, you don't get the respite and space you may need to heal or cool down because you'll see the person so often at work.

2 Sexual harassment is a real problem that can occur more easily when there are lines that get blurred at work. In addition, people gossip and you may make enemies if one of you is higher up in the corporate or business ladder at work, and the one who is lower down may be perceived as getting unfair advantages.

3 If one of you wants a break from work and the other is into work, you may not have an escape from it - even out of the office.

Source: http://www.askapril.com/dating-tips-office-romance-514.html

Tips on how to handle office romance

1) One of you should volunteer to be transferred to another department ... before anyone finds out that you are together.

2) Be discreet. Don't go yabbering to anyone. Not even to your close friends at the office.

3) Avoid showing any kind of intimacy at the office, even if you appear to be alone.

4) Avoid taking breaks together.

5) Avoid unnecessary business trips together.

6) Don't use any of the company's resources for romantic purposes.

Breaking these rules could cost you your job - especially if there is a no-office-romance policy at your company!

Source: http://www.datingsupportcenter.com