Dating a colleague, or not

By the Just Professional Dating editors · Checked 8 November 2026 · 2 min read

In shortDating a colleague isn't against the law, and lots of couples meet at work. Read your employer's policy first, be careful if one of you manages the other, and think about how you'd both handle it if it ended. Meeting people outside work keeps things simpler.

Key facts

Is it allowed?	Usually, but check your employer's policy
Take care with	Line managers, clients and suppliers
If it ends	Your employer's grievance and harassment procedures
Simpler option	Meet people outside work

You spend a lot of hours with your colleagues, so it's no surprise when feelings grow. It can work well, but it touches your job as well as your heart. Here's what to think about first.

Read your employer's policy

Many employers have a policy on personal relationships at work, often with rules about clients, contractors and suppliers. HR guidance says a blanket ban is unrealistic, so most policies try to balance privacy with the needs of the business. Read yours before you act.

Source: Brightmine HR Centre: How to manage personal relationships at work, checked 9 November 2026

Know what happens if it ends

HR guidance recommends that employers have clear grievance and anti-harassment procedures for problems after a relationship ends. Find out where those are before you start. Being kind and professional after a break-up protects you both.

Source: Brightmine HR Centre: How to manage personal relationships at work, checked 9 November 2026

Meet people outside the office

A weekly parkrun puts you among the same friendly faces every Saturday, with no work ties at all. It's free, and you can walk, jog, run or volunteer. Dating someone you met there keeps your love life and your career apart.

Source: parkrun UK, checked 9 November 2026

Questions

Can I be sacked for dating a colleague in the UK?

HR guidance says dismissing someone just for a relationship at work is very likely to be unfair. Your employer's policy may still have rules you need to follow, so read it.

Should I tell HR?

Check your policy. Some employers ask you to say if a relationship creates a conflict of interest, especially where one person manages the other.

Is it a bad idea to date my manager?

It's the hardest kind of workplace relationship to get right. Fairness at work gets tricky, so check the policy and think it through carefully.