It's Valentine's Day - when even the most cynical tend to feel at least a little sentimental and romantic. Office parties and the latest in "work spouse" cards got me to thinking about office romances. Generally speaking, these are not a good idea. There is almost always some discomfort for other employees, whether the relationship works out or not (and most do not). Office disruptions and politics aside, there is a real risk for the employer of facing a  sexual harassment or retaliation charge from the involved parties or other employees. EEOC claims for sexual harassment continue to represent over a third of all claims, and this issue remains high on the Agency's agenda. That said, a new study by AOL Jobs reports that 20% of people secretly date a co-worker, and 25% admit to an affair with someone at work. But with so much time spent at work, how do managers balance the need for professionalism in the workplace against the reality of human nature?

As the employer, you need to address what is expected of employees - including relationships - and it is often easier to do so before a specific situation arises. In addition to having a specific policy, you may want to also do the following:

• include workplace relationships as a topic for your management and employee training; communication and a position on this topic are important to setting expectations
• encourage employees to be candid about relationships, and request they inform their managers should one occur
• put in place "love contracts," a commitment from both parties that their consensual relationship will not interfere with the workplace

Workplace romances are a bit of a natural outgrowth of people spending a lot of time together, sharing common experiences. Depending on the culture and demographics of the workforce the idea of office romances can be considered a norm. However, from an employer standpoint the downside far outweighs any benefits, and employers need to put in place clear measures to address. The risk of favoritism, tensions, and negative morale suggests this is one environment Cupid should not be welcomed.