Dating In The Workplace

Even though as individuals and as a society we would like to be free to engage in possible romantic relationships with whomever we want, I believe it is morally acceptable for a company to adopt workplace dating / fraternization policies. The company has the right, no, the obligation, to provide a working environment that is free of the unnecessary distractions that a workplace romance might cause and an obligation to protect its own assets. Having said that, people are people and there are bound to be workplace romances. Companies must determine how they are going to deal with the situation when it arises. They must tread the line between being not only politically correct, but legally correct.

Most companies do not have rules against dating in the workplace. The general consensus appears to be as long as employees are not dating supervisors or subordinates, than it is deemed a viable relationship. The norm of not allowing dating between supervisors and subordinates is almost common sense. This is simply to ensure there is no perceived favoritism between the supervisor and the subordinate that could put the company in a position to be sued for sexual harassment or any type of discrimination lawsuit. A study has shown that 28 percent of workplace relationships may result in complaints of favoritism . Any perceived favoritism can cause serious workplace issues. These issues could be avoided by having a company policy that clearly outlines the details of workplace dating.

Some of the companies that do have policies against workplace dating do not have their policies clearly defined. The policy should state if it is acceptable to date colleagues that are in different departments or if a relationship does develop than one of the persons involved will be moved to another department. Whatever it may be, it needs to be clearly outlined in the company policy. Some of these companies have developed policies that have both parties involved sign an agreement that they entered the relationship voluntarily and were not coerced in any way . I believe if a person has chosen to work for a company that does have a policy against workplace dating they should abide by this policy. Unfortunately we know this is not always the case.

No one really goes to work looking for romance, but it is bound to happen. "We fall in love with coworkers, well, because they're there. The more you're around someone, studies show, the more you tend to like them. And liking, if other conditions are right, can evolve into deeper feelings. " We are likely to develop personal relationships with the people we work with because we share common interests. The company has selected individuals that they feel share the organizational values and this in a way, also makes them potential romantic partners . As individuals we feel we should be able to date whoever we want, regardless of our working relationship with this person. The only people that this would appear to involve would be the people having the relationship. Unfortunately a workplace romance affects everyone in the work place.

One of my resources likened it to 'dropping pebbles in a calm lake. There will be ripple effects. ' If an employee is passed over for promotion or if the relationship ends badly, there is the possibility of a lawsuit against the company not to mention the tension in the office atmosphere because of the failed relationship. This puts managers in an unenviable position of having to be involved in someone else's personal problems. In one case a relationship ended badly and the man involved was trying to remain friends with the woman. Unfortunately she did not see it this way. It reached the point where she mentioned to their supervisor that she felt he was stalking her. The supervisor now has to become involved in this failed relationship. The supervisor did not think the man was 'stalking' her but he still had to do the paperwork and counsel the man to ensure the company was protected in case of a lawsuit. This definitely takes from the company's time by having to deal with a failed workplace relationship . Not all companies see workplace dating as a risk.

There are a few companies that believe workplace romance can actually enhance the working environment and increase productivity . These companies probably feel that "Today's office romances are very different than the 'powerful boss seduces beautiful young secretary' variety of the past. " These companies realize that today's society has changed. There are more women in the workplace and the work hours are longer. This combination will definitely lead to more workplace romances. Society in general appears to see nothing wrong with workplace romances. It is