Cupid’s arrow can strike anyone, anywhere, even in the office. After all, working together in close proximity for long hours can be conducive to a budding romance.

There are some good things to be said about an office dalliance. It can make you look forward to going to the office and inspire you to work harder. Since you work together, you already know more about your love interest than if you were dating someone outside your office. You also probably have a lot of shared interests, experiences and even circle of friends.

HR professionals, however, are quick to note that office romances can be hard to manage-and be potentially dangerous, especially if the romance should go sour.

Several issues can come into play when colleagues get into a romantic relationship. One of these concerns hierarchical romances, or when an employee gets into a romantic relationship with his or her superior. When word of the relationship gets out, it’s not too long before tongues start wagging. Colleagues may feel that the boss gives preferential treatment to the subordinate he or she is involved with, such as not imposing overtime or giving less work.

Office romance can also be counterproductive. Couples may lose their concentration at work-either finding excuses to spend more time with each other or losing focus if they’ve had a spat.

In case the office romance ends, the ex-partners may have to face the excruciating situation of having to work with someone they could no longer stand. Sexual harassment accusations are another danger. When one party feels slighted or is not ready to let go, she (or even he) might resort to filing a sexual harassment suit to get revenge.

So how should employees conduct themselves-and stave off potential problems-when they engage in an office romance? Here are some simple tips to keep in mind:

1. Couples must find out first if their company has any written (and unwritten) rules about romantic relationships in the workplace. They can speak with their supervisor or HR officer about the company policies regarding office romances.
2. Determine how your relationship will flow. Both parties must recognize the potential impact of their relationship on their jobs, and they must establish at the outset that whatever happens, they will remain professional in their work.
3. Co-workers may react to the relationship with discomfort or jealousy so be aware of their feelings. This is especially true in superior-subordinate relationships.
4. The office is not the place for public displays of affection. Couples should conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times.