How to Handle Employee Office Romances
Are Sally from Accounts Receivable and Freddy from Tech Assistance starting to make goo-goo eyes at each other? Better have a chat with them.
Up next in Office Survival Guide (57 videos)
Between crazy bosses and creepy coworkers, it's a wonder you get any work done at all. Here's a little help.
You Will Need
- A cooing couple
Steps
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Step 1
Clarify company policy
If you don’t already have a policy on office dating, draw one up. It should require office lovebirds to inform the company of their canoodling and sign a statement indicating that the hanky-panky is voluntary.
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Step 2
Draw up statement
As soon as a romance comes to your attention, require the sweethearts to read and sign a copy of the company policy on sexual harassment to protect everyone if the romance sours.
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Meet separately with each member of the couple to discuss the particulars of their situation—and the possible consequences of the relationship.
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Step 3
Reserve right to transfer
If the employees aren’t of equal rank, reserve the right to transfer one of them to another department to avoid any appearance of favoritism. Otherwise, a coworker could charge 'paramour preference' when they’re overlooked for a promotion.
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Step 4
Arrange for mediator
Arrange for someone in the company to mediate any problems that might arise in the workplace if the relationship ends in tears.
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Step 5
Remain hopeful
Hope for the best. A happy office is a productive office!
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Almost half of American office workers have had an employee romance before – and nearly half of them claim it was a total secret.
