Yes, we have all put in extra time at work after office hours, but you know something is wrong when your boss comes close to pulling up a chair and joining you and your date on a romantic candlelit dinner.

Hannah, a 27-year-old personal assistant to the director of a publishing firm, works long hours and keeps her phone with her at all times, even at night, in case her boss calls.

She often has to cancel dates with Justin, her boyfriend of seven years, at the last minute to write another report or attend a dinner function with her boss, Mr Tay.

She told Her World: "Justin gets upset because we never seem to enjoy a night out together in peace."

But it is part of her job to be readily accessible to her boss, and he can't help being this busy.

Hannah adds: "Sometimes, I think it's not really my job that's affecting our relationship. Justin probably just resents the fact that Mr Tay has access to me 24 hours a day!"

Counsellor from non-profit organisation Focus on the Family, Chong Cheh Hoon, suggests that the couple should find ways to involve each other in their workplace. She adds that Hannah may consider bringing Justin to casual company functions to meet her co-workers and boss.

Keeping Justin in the loop will reassure him.

Jonas Ang, a senior regional human resource director at Kelly Services (Asia-Pacific), has a different approach. He advises that Hannah should try to moderate her boss' expectation of her. She could share her after-hours schedule with him to make him more aware when he's encroaching on her personal time.

It will be easier for her to negotiate with him if she has established work credibility.

Jonas adds: "However, if the boss still continues to call her after office hours, despite numerous converations that they've had about this issue, then she may need to interrupt him, as gently and apologetically as possible to let him know that she'll call him back when it's more convenient."

If there is no improvement, Hannah may have to choose between her job and the relationship.

For more details, get a copy of the April issue of Her World at all newsstands now.

Watch out for the final instalment of "Meet the pet"