Jim and Pam from The Office, Sam and Diane from Cheers, Meredith and Derek from Grey's Anatomy. They're all workplace sweethearts whose relationships, albeit fictional, have met with varying degrees of success. But what about in the real worldare office romances a good idea or an automatic career buster?

A Common Occurrence

According to a 2006 CareerBuilder.com survey, 43 percent of employees reported that they'd engaged in an office romance at some point in their careers. And is it any surprise? Experts point out that people are spending more and more time on the job. What's more, they're often surrounded by attractive, intelligent people—all dressed for success and working together toward a common goal.

Although a majority of these relationships tend to be short-lived, some are the start of something very real. In fact, of that same 43 percent, 34 percent reported getting hitched.

Should You Mix Business With Pleasure?

An Italian study found that the thrill of a workplace fling may even raise energy levels, leading to greater productivity at work. But despite its potential benefits, it can also be risky business. Before you pursue a relationship with a coworker, you should ask yourself the following questions:

  • What's the company policy?

    One of the first things to consider is your company's policy regarding office dating. Keep in mind, though, that not all companies have a policy in place. Of the 617 companies that responded to a 2005 Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) survey, more than 70 percent claimed they had no written policy. Even if this is the case at your company, it's best to check with your Human Resources before you jump into an office relationship.

  • How will my relationship be viewed?

    Remember, every company culture is different. Some are unwavering in their desire to keep their workplace romance-free, while others openly encourage it. Southwest Airlines, for example, takes great pride in the fact that thousands of its married employees met on the job. In fact, the airline is so pleased to have played a role in these pairings that it's dubbed itself the LUV airline and even uses LUV as its ticker symbol on the New York Stock Exchange.

  • How will a promotion affect my relationship?

    Experts warn that if you become involved with someone in your department and one of you receives a promotion, the relationship will then involve a superior and a subordinate—which is taboo in almost all organizations. This can also prove awkward and problematic when it comes to delegating tasks, requesting days off, and conducting performance reviews. What's more, OfficClick.com, a Web-based professional service and networking resource for administrative personnel, found that these specific types of relationships have a major impact on the workplace because they create resentment among other coworkers. When colleagues see employees dating managers, they develop an impression of favoritism, and over time, they may even begin to mistrust management.

  • Can I ignore the rumor mill?

    Dating a coworker usually involves a great deal of discretion—and you'll need a lot of energy and concentrated effort to keep your office romance between just the two of you. Experts warn against displaying public affection or trading explicit emails on the company account. If coworkers do eventually find out, you may be the subject of ridicule and suspicion.

  • What will happen if the relationship ends?

    Sometimes workplace relationships end up happily ever after, and sometimes they don't. If it fizzles, what will your workday be like? Will you be peering around corners to make sure your former love isn't in the hall? Will you avoid the company picnic for fear your ex will flaunt a new love interest? Could things become hostile? When polled by the SHRM, human resource managers spoke of occurrences regarding retaliation, stalking, and even physical violence following the end of a workplace romance.

  • Will my relationship bring up harassment issues?

    If the relationship ends on a bad note, will your ex-love tell human resources you were making unwanted advances? It's important to consider how a potential harassment suit could impact your career.

With any decision you make in your life, it's important to weigh the pros and cons as well as the potential outcome. Your soul mate may be sitting in the next cubicle—it's up to you to decide whether it's worth taking the plunge.