You know, you know, you know. It's a bad idea to date a co-worker. But here you are, constantly finding convenient reasons to walk by that other intern's desk. The printer just happens to be over there! You want just a cup of coffee! He just has the cutest eyes and coolest tattoos!

Oh. Whoops.

Developing a work crush might be slightly taboo, but it can also make those four hour envelope stuffing sessions infinitely more interesting. Should you just throw caution (and that employee handbook you signed) to the wind, or is dating a co-worker really as bad of an idea as it seems? The answer to that depends on your own personality and the nature of the job you are at. If your assistant manager has also become your main squeeze, read on.

It’s a temporary job

There are relatively few shopping days left till it won't matter that you two met while working as mall elves.

You guys work in completely different departments

While you likely still want to proceed with caution, if the two of you don't actually work directly with one another, there's a much better chance that you'll be able to separate your business from your "other business."

You don't have a history of drama with your exes

One of the biggest hazards of dating someone at work is that there will be weirdness if and when it ends. Are you capable of being cordial with someone you've recently ended things with? Be honest.

Neither of you is the other’s boss

Dating someone who you report to (or vice versa) could lead to unfair treatment, accusations of favoritism, and a whole mess of drama. Yeah, this is a no.

The two of you do not physically work in the same space

Minimal physical interaction on the job means far fewer chances for slip-ups or distractions. Just don't accidentally call him Pookie in a group email.

One of you doesn't really want this job anyway

The simple fact is that dating at work could jeopardize both of your abilities to feel comfortable and productive at work, but maybe that doesn't matter if you'd be just as happy slinging sandwiches elsewhere in the food court.

You are a discreet person

Loose lips alert the attention of H.R. If you can't keep things on the D.L., keep them away from your workplace.

When you’re at work, you behave professionally

If you're staying on task during work hours, people will be much less likely to notice the mistakes you're making after the sun sets.

This is the love of your freaking life

If he's the ranch dressing to your pizza crust, no amount of reasoning is going to keep you from going for it. Of course, if your company's policy mandates it, you should let H.R. know about any serious relationship so that you two can avoid getting into hot water. That said, it's still probably a good idea to keep things under wraps for at least a couple weeks -- just in case this ends up being like the last seven times you found your soulmate.