Does the twinkle in her eye catch your gaze when you come into the office every day. Subtle flirtations and smiles can make people question whether or not having a workplace romance is worth it. The answer is not as straightforward as people would think, however. Workplace romances in the movies can go many different directions, and television shows are the same. How this type of romance works in real life can be quite varied, however. Many people around the world meet their long-term significant others through the workplace, successfully dating and having happy lives together.

Still, this type of romance comes with risks. If one person is at a higher position in a company than the other, it can lead to potential conflicts and drama if breaking up occurs, particularly if things end badly. Some companies look negatively on interpersonal relationships in the workplace, and many people who have a workplace romance choose not to share their dating status with other people they work with. The type of industry you are in can also play a role. Dating a stripper that works at the same bar as you could be different than someone with an office job and someone working construction for the same company. The amount you cross paths and the amount of interaction you have with your partner at the workplace can help determine whether or not your partner and you dating could be a distraction or cause potential issues.

Either way, pursuing love can be worthwhile. Weighing the pros and cons, as well as the risks, is always a smart plan before entering into a relationship. Professionals often recommend taking workplace relationships slowly in terms of physical activity and titles, allowing people to determine whether the relationship is something they really want or if their workplace crush should stay that, a workplace crush.