This type of relationship is similar to the "prior-friends" relationship because you are taking a big risk with it. Say you ask a colleague out for dinner and you start a relationship that ends in a short while. Imagine the awkwardness of going back to work and having to see him or her every day. That surely increases the productivity.

Statistics show that this kind of relationships are not seen as often as the other types, possibly because people have it tried long enough to know that usually it really doesn't work and the trouble is not worth the effort.

Inter-office relationships are usually based on the fact that the two enjoy spending time together and at least one of them was helped by the other with important job issues and maybe feels that he or she should make it up to the other by taking them out to dinner. There are really no feelings involved mostly, but some relationships of this type work in the long run as well.

It is really difficult to say for sure whether this kind of relationship works, but from what I've seen with some of my friends, they have tried it and it worked, at least for some of them. You have o really think it through I suppose and decide for yourself if you can do it and if it is worth the effort and the risks.

There is also the inter-office relationship that involves the boss. Now there is a subject of debate and because the space does no allow us to discuss it here, we will have a special article jus for that. Do keep in mind though, that if you are willing to have such a relationship the risks are doubled. If the relationship doesn't work you will probably get fired since you really can't work in that environment any more.