Comments on: Love among the cubicles: Study details how firms deal with workplace romance

By: MAC

MAC — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:30:14 +0000

Dave,

To me, your company has some training issues that need to be implemented. I can’t speak for your significant other, but to me, it’s akin to Mary J. LeTourneau and her very young husband…….. I have to much input and potential adverse impact to date in my office.

My company is family owned and operated but we insist, and train accordingly to have a professional environment. Simply, if you can not work together, and your relationship, for better or worse is hampering business operations, or adversely impacting anothers employment environment, it’s reported and I step in because it’s an overly sexualized environment and not professional, and “sexual harassment”.

Personally, I’m not for direct supervisor/subordinate relationships. I have read about Love Contracts and perhaps I’m a little prudish or traditional but as part of my core job responsibilities is to “indemnify my employer” from potential legal action then why are we opening a window to potential quid pro quo action.

I’m not naive enough to think that you can stop all fraternization – especially between peers. It seems like more of a witch hunt if people are otherwise working well together. Project teams should perhaps be separated.

MAC

By: JO

JO — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:51:38 +0000

To Dave,
I don’t think you are in such a mess, if others are doing the same, but HR department is usually excluded from misbehaviour since we have to enforce it. I say let the HR manager handle it.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:24:28 +0000

If someone was recently fired for sexual harrassment, what advice would you give for when he is interviewing for another position as to why he is no longer with the previous company?

Does this information show up on the background check?

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 13:14:29 +0000

I am in a big mess, I am seeing the Hr manager and my company has told her to stop. But we do not have a policy and there are other managers dating and liveing with others.

By: Dallas HR

Dallas HR — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:28:19 +0000

We have a policy that prohibits managers from fraternizing with their subordinates. If romance happens, one of them has to move to another group (assuming there is a position available) OR another company – they can choose which of them will take what action. Our policy also says if peers choose to date, so be it; however, neither romance can interfere with the operation of the business. If HR receives complaints or concerns about the relationship, then I step in. In line with what Sue D. says, we spend lots of time with people with whom we work, so some measure of romance between employees is probably inevitable. My concern is always how the relationship is perceived by others. Perception is often what causes disruption in the workplace.

By: Maggie

Maggie — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:13:07 +0000

We have an anti-fraterization policy. Managers cannot date their subordinates. We have not had it tested as yet.

By: Sue D

Sue D — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:41:09 +0000

I think the workplace is a natural setting to meet someone, get to know them, and fall into a relationship. Work takes up the majority of people’s time, and you really get to know someone, when you spend time with them and see them every day.

I do think policies need to be enforced if they exist in the workplace, and I think training is essential for all employees. I also think if you’re in the workplace, you’re more than likely an adult and I have seen some pretty nasty games being played. Games don’t belong in the workplace, but when they happen, policies need to be enforced, and enforced fairly.

Unfortunately, bias will happen, and even if things go along fairly, human perception is still there to haunt bosses, employees, etc. That’s the hardest thing to escape in regards to relationships in the workplace.

By: Robert

Robert — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:36:04 +0000

We have nevery considered such a policy, and for a simple reason – our owners are a husband and wife couple. When we considered writing such a policy, I thought it would look hypocritical to have it when our owners are sleeping together.
It’s a big problem we struggle with now and then, but I feel we need to leave it alone and let those involved work things out on their own, which they usually do. Only when it disrupts the working environment do we step in.