Why Dating At Work In Malta Is Usually A Terrible Idea

Last Updated on June 2, 2026 by MDGAdmin

Every office has that story.

Two colleagues start spending a little too much time together. Lunch breaks become longer. Coffee runs become more frequent. Suddenly everyone notices they’re arriving together, leaving together, and somehow sitting next to each other during every meeting.

For a while, it seems romantic.

Then reality arrives.

The problem with dating at work is not that relationships never succeed. Plenty of couples meet through work and go on to build happy lives together. The problem is that when things go wrong, they tend to go wrong in a place you can’t easily escape from.

And in Malta, that problem becomes even bigger.

Malta is small.

Ridiculously small.

People move between companies, industries and social circles all the time. Chances are that the person sitting opposite you today either knows somebody you know, worked with somebody you know, or will eventually end up working with somebody you know.

When a workplace romance ends badly, it rarely stays private for long.

Suddenly, every meeting feels awkward.

You start timing your lunch breaks to avoid crossing paths.

Colleagues begin choosing sides.

Rumours start circulating.

People who have absolutely nothing to do with the situation somehow become experts on what happened.

Before you know it, your personal life has become office entertainment.

That’s rarely worth it.

The other issue is power dynamics.

Dating somebody in a completely different company is one thing. Dating somebody who reports to you, manages you, or influences your career progression is something else entirely. Even if both people have good intentions, perceptions matter.

Colleagues may assume favouritism.

Promotions may be questioned.

Performance reviews become complicated.

Professional credibility can suffer even when nobody has done anything wrong.

It creates problems that simply don’t exist when dating outside the workplace.

Then there is the issue nobody likes talking about.

Breakups.

People often enter workplace relationships convinced they’ll be the exception.

The mature couple.

The sensible couple.

The couple that will handle everything professionally.

Unfortunately, most people only discover how difficult that is after the relationship ends.

You still have to attend the same meetings.

You still have to collaborate on projects.

You still have to act professionally while pretending your personal life isn’t on fire.

That is a lot harder than it sounds.

Particularly when one person moves on faster than the other.

Or starts dating somebody else in the same office.

At that point, many people begin updating their CV before they begin healing their broken heart.

There is also a practical reality.

Work already occupies a huge portion of our lives. If your partner works with you as well, it becomes surprisingly easy for your entire identity to revolve around the same place, the same colleagues and the same conversations.

Some people enjoy that.

Many eventually realise they need more separation.

A relationship often benefits from bringing different experiences and perspectives together rather than spending every waking hour in the same environment.

Fortunately, meeting people today has never been easier.

You no longer need to rely exclusively on work, mutual friends or random encounters at a bar. Dating apps and online dating platforms allow people to meet others outside their immediate social circles. You can connect with people from different professions, backgrounds and parts of Malta without risking tomorrow’s staff meeting becoming unbearably awkward.

More importantly, if things don’t work out, you don’t have to sit opposite them during a budget review on Monday morning.

That alone is worth considering.

Of course, workplace relationships will continue to happen.

People spend a lot of time together at work. Attraction is inevitable.

But before you decide to pursue that colleague you’ve been thinking about, it may be worth asking yourself a simple question:

If this relationship ended tomorrow, would I still want to see this person every single weekday?

If the answer is no, you might be better off looking elsewhere.

Fortunately, there are plenty of singles outside the office.

And they’re probably a lot less likely to show up in your next team meeting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is dating a colleague illegal in Malta?

No. Workplace relationships are generally legal, although some companies have policies requiring disclosure in certain circumstances.

Why can workplace relationships be risky?

Because professional and personal lives become intertwined, creating complications if the relationship ends.

Are office romances common in Malta?

Yes. Many people spend most of their day at work, making workplace relationships relatively common.

What happens if a workplace relationship ends badly?

It can create awkward working conditions, damage morale and sometimes even lead to people changing jobs.

Is online dating a better alternative?

For many people, yes. It allows you to meet singles outside your professional environment and reduces the risks associated with workplace dating.

Should you ever date somebody you work with?

It depends on the circumstances, but it’s worth carefully considering the potential consequences before getting involved.