A human resources expert says relationships in the workplace are inevitable - but clear boundaries must be set.

The political career of Iain Lees-Galloway is over after bombshell revelations of a year-long affair with a former staffer.

Jacinda Ardern's dumped him as a Minister today after he admitted to a relationship with a staff member in one of the agencies he headed.

Ardern says he showed a lack of judgement and his behaviour was out of line, and opened himself up to accusations of improperly using power.

Employsure Senior Employment Relations Adviser Ashlea Maley told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's hard to put a blanket ban on inter-office romances.

"People do spend a lot of time at work when presumably there is common interest there as well, so I think it's more about making sure that favouritism and those sorts of things won't be tolerated."

She says being sacked for having an affair all depends on the circumstances and if it's jeopardising the work environment.

"Sometimes the employer needs to leave the moral compass at the door and consider if the personal relationship has had an detrimental impact at work."

Maley says anything which negatively impacts workplace relations should be addressed, but it can depend on the industry, the employer and what policies are in place.

"People 

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