'Don't do it': Career expert's unexpected advice for workplace romances in wake of Coldplay kiss cam drama

When Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and HR lead Kristin Cabot got caught in an embrace on the kiss-cam at a Coldplay concert, they had no idea they'd be captivating the world.

Many have found the workplace romance element – as a CEO and HR Lead, at that – another juicy aspect to the general messiness of having an alleged affair.

Now a career expert has shared their stance on the issue, with Tammie Ballis from Realistic Careers saying having a workplace romance in any context is "a big no".

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"I know a lot of people have met their spouses at work, but you've got to be very careful these days," she told Ben Fordham on 2GB radio this morning.

"They've got it in the HR policies where you can't have intimate relationships with each other. It's a normal thing. And when I speak to people, I always suggest don't do it. It's very, very risky."

Listen to Ben Fordham's interview with Tammie Ballis:

Balis reminded listeners, "HR works for the company. So if you've broken that policy, they'll be in every right to terminate you."

There are workarounds if the love story has progressed to the point of no return, such as one person in the relationship resigning from the company to continue the relationship.

In situations where there is a power dynamic, like in the Coldplay example, it is often the one in the lower position - more likely the woman - that has to give up their career.

"In a tough job market like it is at the moment, do you want to risk that?" Ballis asked listeners.

The stakes are even higher the higher up you're in a company, she adds.

"It's the company's reputation that's on your shoulders... a lot of the time, it's usually a younger woman, let's be honest, and that doesn't look good on the company.

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Speaking of the Astronomer situation, careers expert said, "Their name has been trashed in the media. They are both married, so they're not respecting their husbands, their wives, their children.

"So how does that look as a CEO or as a leader? What else are they doing behind the scenes that's not ethical in the company?"

In some cases, love will bloom no matter how hard it's smothered – especially in a workplace where you spend a lot of time with others. In this case, Ballis has some unconventional advice.

"Keep your mouth shut. Be careful," she said, adding that if the company found out, "they would drop you like a bag of fleas."

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To those who want to continue workplace relationships regardless of all the risks, she said, "good luck to them.

"I'm all about meeting people in person," she said, so "if they're gonna do it at work, do it at work. Just don't tell your boss."

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