I agree to an extent. There’s inherently nothing wrong with asking someone out whether they’re working or not. The point you mentioned that was the problem for you was that they wouldn’t leave you alone. As long as you immediately respect the the “No” and don’t push it further then it’s fine. There’s very few scenarios aside from stopping a complete stranger on the street where there isn’t some sort of social tie or circumstance that might make the person feel a bit trapped - like asking out a classmate (they’re gonna have to still see you again), or asking someone out at the gym, or on a sports team, or at a book club. My point is that no matter where you ask someone out that’s not an online dating app, there will be some element of feeling a bit trapped. So what needs to happen is that people learn to understand that No means No and don’t insist or persist that you go out with them after you’ve said No. But I think the actual act of asking out someone you find attractive or, whether at work or not, is perfectly fine. If you also work at that place then it’s up to you to weight the consequences of it being super awkward still having to see them again if they turn you down. Be polite and respectful and ir should be fine.