Due to the amount of time we spend in the company of our colleagues it’s no surprise that a large number of office workers start a romantic relationship with a co-worker at some point in their careers.

Due to the amount of time we spend in the company of our colleagues it’s no surprise that a large number of office workers start a romantic relationship with a co-worker at some point in their careers. So, as a manager, it is almost inevitable that two of your employees will get together.

Here’s how to tell, and what to do about it.

They start working late… even though they generally used to arrive and leave at the same times every day. If they don’t have an increased work load, yet they’re both suddenly quite busy on projects which don’t seem to produce much, it’s not a coincidence.

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They take frequent breaks… with each other. Now fetching coffee or a new stapler results in ‘accidental’ meetings and lingering chats, which stretch into lunchtime strolls because they both happen to be heading that way.

Their annual leave days start to match up…and they’re both suddenly less agreeable to being flexible about last minute changes to booked leave. The same applies to sick days. If two employees start taking sick leave at the same time, this could be a sign of a blossoming romance.  

They appear to travel in to work together…even though they don’t live in the same area. If a couple start arriving at the office together every day, or within minutes of each other, this could be a sign. Especially if they’re carrying matching his-and-hers travel mugs. 

They never leave the office together…but they almost always leave around the same time. If they both suddenly find it necessary to explain their elaborate plans for the weekend, with an emphasis on how they won’t be seeing work colleagues, chances are high that they’re hiding something.

Read: Team not playing nice? How to deal with the conflict

While you can’t discriminate or penalise employees for starting a relationship on your watch, turning a blind eye isn't the best approach either. Your employees need to work together effectively, and it takes a high level of maturity to simultaneously juggle a romantic relationship with a professional one.

If you suspect your employees are having a romantic relationship, we have some basic guidelines to help you manage this potentially tricky situation.