Lifestyle writes, 'The workplace is where men and women get to know one another very well, but there are deep barriers and taboos. That can make the atmosphere even more exciting and stimulating - and confusing.

What's a man supposed to think when a colleague leans over his shoulder to touch a keyboard and her hair brushes his cheek? How should a woman react when she enters a meeting and a male colleague's eyes flit down to her legs? Is flirting forbidden? And compliments? Are jokes with sexy punchlines allowed?

The answers are anything but clear, even though many companies are scrambling to spell out guidelines for proper behaviour.

Acknowledging that sexual feelings exist is one thing - acting on them is another. Today, more than ever, learning to manage sexuality on the job - with bosses, peers and employees - can be crucial to your career survival and success.

An affair can wreck not just a marriage but a career these days. There is now a surge of sexual-harassment charges including those by employees who have been seduced and abandoned by a colleague.

In the past, usually only the woman risked losing her job, but increasingly, companies are holding men accountable for what they see as a terrible lack of good judgement.

When it comes to male-female interactions, it's better to treat others the way you would like to be treated. So before you tell a risqué joke, ask yourself how your mother or wife might react. If you are wondering if you should buy an off-colour card for a male colleague, think about how your father or husband might feel.

Sexual harassment in the workplace damages everybody who is near it.'