Let’s face it, working with your partner can get messy. It’s difficult enough trying to stay professional in the workplace, add to that working with someone you already have a non-professional relationship with, the line gets blurry. We interviewed L’Atelier’s own power couple and Directors of PinSource Brad and Emily. Below are the top 5 tips they’ve given us on how to work with your significant other:

1. Your relationship comes first: This is single handedly the most important piece of advice you can follow. No matter how often you disagree in the workplace, make sure you don’t reach the point of no return. Think to yourself: “is this argument worth risking my relationship for?”. If not, then take a breath, and find a healthy way to discuss the issue.
2. The 30 Minute Rule: Everyday, you and your partner should have a 30 minute meeting in the workplace to discuss all work-related issues before heading home. This will ensure you both have a constructive discussion in a professional environment, and will minimize the risk of discussing work over dinner!
3. You will take work home, just try to take as little as possible: Ideally, you shouldn’t be discussing work at home, however that becomes almost impossible at times. When you can’t avoid the work discussion, make it as brief as possible. Anything that can wait till the next working day should wait. Also, try to avoid conflict oriented discussions around your family, and go to a private room for a quick 5 minute talk if the issue is time sensitive. 
4. Respect one another, as professionals and as partners: The longer you work together, the blurrier the line between your work and the relationship becomes. Treat your partner with respect. It’s easy to stop taking each other seriously when you spend a considerable amount of time with each other. Always ask yourself: if I hadn’t been with my partner all day at work, would I have felt the same way? Respect is non-negotiable and is the foundation of a healthy personal and professional relationship.
5. If it’s not working, choose your relationship: Sometimes, it simply doesn’t work. When that happens, it might be necessary to cut your losses and come up with another work arrangement. Perhaps it’s working in different work spaces, or departments, or sometimes it might mean one of you needs to find another job, either way, choose your relationship.