Dating a Coworker: The Essential 2025 Do’s and Don’ts for Office Romance

So… you fancy someone at work.

Maybe it started over a coffee run, a late-night Teams call, or a shared eye-roll in a meeting that should’ve been an email. It happens — a lot more than people think. And while an office romance can make those Monday mornings way more exciting, it can also be a fast track to drama if handled badly.

Why Workplace Romances Aren’t Going Anywhere

Despite hybrid work and endless message tool pings, office romances are still alive and well. In fact, surveys show that over half of employees admit to having had a workplace romance at some point.

Remote work hasn’t killed them — if anything, it’s just shifted where they start. Flirty emojis in Teams chat? Late-night project calls that end up more personal than professional? Yep, it happens.

But there’s a flip side: about 1 in 10 people leave a job they actually liked after a work relationship goes wrong. That’s a big price to pay for a fling gone sour.

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When HR Gets Involved

Here’s the simple rule: HR isn’t the romance police. They only step in when things affect work — conflict, gossip, favouritism, or complaints.

If one of you is the other’s boss, though? That’s where it gets tricky. Many companies either ban or heavily manage boss–employee relationships to protect everyone involved (and the company from lawsuits).

Some big names — like McDonald’s, BP, and ITV — have fired execs or changed policies after scandals. So, if your crush is your line manager (or you’re theirs), you’ll want to tread carefully and disclose it early.

The Do’s (For a Healthy Office Romance)

• Do keep it private — but not secret. Colleagues don’t need a play-by-play, but HR might need to know if there’s a conflict of interest.
• Do check that it’s mutual (and stays mutual). Consent is not a one-time thing — especially in a workplace power dynamic.
• Do set some limits. Agree on what stays outside of work, and how to handle disagreements so you don’t drag them into meetings.
• Do move your chats off work systems. Teams, Slack, and email are not the place for late-night flirting. (And yes, they’re searchable.)
• Do plan for the “what if.” If things don’t work out, how will you keep it professional?

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The Don’ts (a.k.a. The Career-Savers)

• Don’t turn the office into a romcom set. No PDA, no over-the-top pet names in the open plan.
• Don’t let drama spill into meetings or group chats. Take time to cool off if things get tense.
• Don’t play favourites. If you’re in the same team, stay transparent with work decisions.
• Don’t get involved with a direct report, intern, or new starter. That’s a power imbalance waiting to blow up.
• Don’t “collect colleagues.” Sleeping with multiple coworkers can quickly create tension, gossip, and (yes) HR investigations.

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Remote Romance & Teams Dating – A 2025 Reality

Hybrid and remote work just changed the location, not the attraction. People are building connections over chat channels, Zoom calls, and shared emojis. Just remember:

• Keep it professional on the record. If it’s being recorded, it’s not the moment to flirt.
• Ask once, not repeatedly. Respect is sexy — persistence is not.
• Switch to personal channels early. DMs on company software are not private diaries.

What Happens If It Goes Wrong

The hard truth? Some people end up leaving a job after a messy breakup. Others stay in jobs they dislike just because their partner’s there. If you’re the type who hates awkwardness, have a plan before things go too far.

If things end:

• Be civil — you still have to share a kitchen and inbox.
• Don’t trash-talk. Gossip spreads fast, and it reflects badly on both of you.
• Use HR as a neutral party if things are getting uncomfortable.

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Final Thoughts

Dating a coworker doesn’t have to be a career-limiting move. The key is respect — for each other, for your team, and for your job. When handled right, an office romance can actually make you more engaged and motivated at work.

But ignore the do’s and don’ts, and you could find yourself with more than just a broken heart — think HR meetings, team tension, or a shiny new job search.