Most HR professionals get squeamish when the subject arises. Rightfully so, as the topic is littered with legal issues, charged emotions, and awkward conversations. Yet data shows almost half of workers have had or will have a workplace romance—which makes sense given how much time we spend at work. The truth is: office romance happens. But because most of us avoid talking about it, we often don’t know how to approach it respectfully and with intention. First off, if you can help it, avoid dating anyone, ahem, under you, or above you in the chain of command. It’s the most likely relationship to cause legal issues or questions around integrity (yours or theirs). If you choose to pursue it despite the risks, request that one of you move out of the reporting structure. As for other scenarios, creating a healthy sustainable relationship requires being deliberate about what you say, don’t say, do and don’t do, in and out of what you define as the “workplace.” Chris Littlefield—owner of Acknowledgement Works, an employee engagement company in Santiago, Chile—advises “setting clear boundaries about what is work and what is relationship and consciously devoting time to both. Set clear guidelines for what comes home and what stays in the office, and hold each other accountable to honor the boundaries set.” He also recommends couples schedule monthly check-ins to make sure each person is satisfied with both relationships. Before you commit to a relationship with a colleague, Littlefield suggests asking yourself three questions: