This is a co-worker who either shares the same workspace or works in a different department.

Seeing this co-worker, whether it be every day or every few days, is the norm.

There have been pleasant verbal exchanges.

You have had more detailed conversations with the co-worker who works in the same workspace as you.

After all, if he sits in a cubicle right next to you, the sheer proximity is conducive to making conversation.

Should it be a co-worker who doesn’t work in the same workspace as you, that only makes each verbal exchange with him that much more intriguing.

Since you don’t know as much about him as you would the co-worker who works in the same workspace as you, every conversation you have with him gives you further precious insight into who he is as a person.

Whether it be a co-worker in proximity or not, the familiarity and chemistry you ultimately build with each other typically segues into thoughts about the prospect of dating each other.

To this end, it isn’t a bad idea to date a co-worker.

That said, successfully dating a co-worker boils down to the maturity of either party.

A popular but overblown fear people have about dating a co-worker is that of what happens after a breakup.

Having to see this co-worker on a regular or semi-regular basis at work after a breakup triggers anxiety in these people, but this anxiety is unwarranted.

The maturity of either party is how you conquer the prospect of negative tension should there be an unfortunate breakup.

As long as you conduct yourselves professionally at work, not only do you reduce the chances of a breakup, but if there is a breakup, you eliminate the likelihood there is any negative tension between you.

The same approach should be used in the case of dating a boss.

You are more susceptible to getting too caught up on dating a boss than you would dating a co-worker.

Given that he is your boss, it’s tempting to use that to your advantage, thereby bypassing the importance of acting professionally with him.

Dating a boss only becomes a bad idea when you succumb to this advantage.

This is where your boss is regularly letting you get away with poor work performance, such as arriving late to work, staying on your phone for long stretches of time during work hours, taking lunch breaks that last longer than what is mandated, etc.

This behavior fosters friction and jealousy from other co-workers.

If you and your boss don’t conduct yourselves professionally at work, allowing for multiple instances of special treatment, co-workers will ostracize you and get upper management or the Human Resources Department involved.

This is why maintaining the same professional discipline, if you choose to date a co-worker, should be exercised if you choose to date your boss.

Doing this means you are following the right protocol in reference to dating someone from work.

It is only a bad idea when you choose not to follow this protocol.