Is it permissible for a man to eat with his female colleague in his office in the presence of another friend?

We have previously answered the ruling on a man being alone with a woman in Fatwa no. 107115, and the ruling on two or more men being alone with a woman, and we preferred permissibility when there is no fear of fitna (temptation/strife). Caution must be exercised against being lenient in interactions between male and female employees, and against not observing the Islamic regulations regarding mixing, seclusion, or conversation, lest laughter and soft speech become a cause for fitna and corruption.