All of the sudden, Susan in accounting is catching your eye. Last week, you accidentally walked in on a couple in the copy room. Office romance is all around—especially this time of year—what do you do to avoid the pull?

Define professional

Your job when you clock into the office everyday is to complete the tasks set in front of you. Your job is not to hide in the supply room fulfilling your animal urges (if that really is your job, please let me know, I’m sure we could find plenty of volunteers to help you in your endeavors). So focus on work when you’re at work. If you are propositioned by a co-worker, explain to them that you need to focus on work right now and that you would prefer to just be friends. If one of you leaves the company or changes branches, then you can try developing that relationship further.

Read the rules

Pick the right person

If you do decide to go along with an office relationship, pick your partner carefully. Your best bet is someone in a completely different department who you don’t work with a lot during the regular work day. Avoid coworkers you see every day, while you may love seeing them everyday other employees may not like having to deal with the changed dynamic around you too. Avoid your subordinates, lest you be charged with favoritism and sexual misconduct. And most importantly, avoid dating your boss like the plague. Any career can be easily shattered when you are singled out as the boss’ favorite (and when breaking up means possible firing gives you added motivation).

Good luck with your office dating activities, but try not to get fired, arrested, caught, or recorded on interoffice surveillance.