They can be. I've had a couple meself and its a great way of meeting people.
Just remember these points.....
1: Some companies have strict policies against that sort of thing (Spoilsports :))
2: If you have a barney, there is no escape if you work together. Even worse if you break up.
3: Conversation becomes limited to work.
4: If you're jealous easily then be prepared as remember how friendly your girl is with everyone at work.....
However, the good bits.......
1: Opportunities for a quicky at lunch
2: Opportunities for a quicky in the store cupboard.
you see my point here.........
3: You get to see them whenever you like. Organising a date is just a case of emailing or sticking your head round the door.
I work with my Husband, and there are ups and downs to it. You can get a bit sick of the sight of your Other Half, especially when you live with them as well. But it's handy also cos if i'm having a bad day i can go & see him and he can cheer me up. I guess you have to ask yourself, if it all went wrong, could you still face her every day? does she have loads of friends who would make your working life a misery? if she started dating some other guy from work would you be cool with that?
After a relationship at work that cost both our marriages and our jobs I would strongly advise against it. Leave this to outside the office would you really like to work with your other half? Exactly I now do again and it is not a recipe for a good relationship
As has already been said - at the time they seem like good idea, but all hell breaks loose if you break up - not only is it awkward for you and the other person but for other staff who know about the (existence of ) relationship and/or the break-up.....
you always think 'oh we won't break up, but ya never know how things will turn out.
I've just come out of a relationship with a colleague - never done it before, never will again. We weren't at all serious, and it's been horrible - I never used to bump into him much at work, now seem to see him all the time. It's just horrible.
I say it can work for some and not for others, it really depends on how well you get on and what your situation is. Me and my man work together, we fell for each other after a few months of working together and we have now been together for a year and couldn't be happier! We love seeing each other out of work and also love working together. We never let our relationship get in the way of work and vice versa and we are best friends! It is great! I wouldn't ever just fool around with someone in work as I guess that would be awkward when it came to an end, but if you truly love someone I say go for it!
A brief scan of answers so far leaves me surprised to find a lacking of the old chestnut about not sh*tting on your doorstep. An odd metaphor for getting together with someone, but yours is THE situation that this saying was 'written for'
Good luck!