The amount of time you spend at work far exceeds the time you have to develop relationships when your work day is over, and according to a CareerBuilder.com survey, one result is that 38% of people develop dating relationships with coworkers.

Working side-by-side on projects and in brainstorming sessions gives you a good idea of the way colleagues handle some of their toughest decisions. That time spent together can be the start of a relationship built on trust and respect. It’s a natural progression for single employees to take the foundation of a good coworker connection and turn it into a dating relationship.

While some find true love at work, doing so can have its challenges, particularly if both people work in the same department.

Before you put your career path at risk, check to see if your employer has a policy about dating coworkers. If there are no policies in place, use your best judgment to keeping your relationship from becoming a topic of break room conversations.

Prior to launching a relationship with a coworker, consider some of the issues that can arise. No matter how professional you keep your relationship, it can be difficult to maintain the boundary between your work life and your personal live.

In spite of the challenges an office romance presents, there are some things you can do to help it succeed. Take the time to come to an agreement about how you both will maintain the balance between work and your personal life. You want to be sure management does not perceive your work contributions as being dependent on how well your dating relationship is developing.

Here are some suggestions to keep in mind if you find romance at work: