Tips on How to Handle Employee Office Romances - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Tips on How to Handle Employee Office Romances - Introvert Whisperer Tips on How to Handle Employee Office Romances Office romances are becoming more common in the workplace. As colleagues spend more time together, work relationships can often develop into personal relationships. While this may create a more relaxed working environment, it can also be challenging for employers to manage. Office romances can have a large effect on the culture and stability of a workplace, especially after relationships end. By working together and following best practices, employers and employees can more easily manage the risks of an office romance. How Office Romances Can Impact the Workplace When left unmanaged, office romances can lead to many problems in the workplace. If a member of the couple has a higher position, for example, they may be accused of unfairly favouring their partner. After a relationship ends it can also add stress to the working environment for both the couple and others they work with. Sexual harassment claims are another concern for companies. While a strict policy against relationships can solve some of these problems, it can also lead to office romances being pursued in secret, which can have much worse outcomes. Employee Relationships Building relationships at work is natural, but how you’re allowed to act on these relationships can depend on your company’s policy. Some companies will see an office romance as outside of their business, while others will allow them but have specific rules in place. A common rule for employees is that relationships with each other need to be reported to management. Other rules can reinforce the importance of non-disclosure agreements. Confidential information about work should not be disclosed between partners in an office romance if they don’t have the same authority level. In short, colleagues that are in an office romance need to prioritise their responsibilities as employees first before their relationship. Tips for Employees Do Follow your workplace’s policy on correct conduct Let your employer or manager know if you’re in an office romance Be prepared for the possibility of a breakup and its consequences Keep your relationship separate when at work Don’t Kiss or touch in the workplace or during work events Discuss your relationship at work Treat your partner differently to other colleagues Allow the relationship to impact your work quality Engage in actions which could be interpreted as sexual harassment Managing Office Romances Building professional, friendly relationships can be a good thing for a business and allow employees to communicate openly. While personal relationships between employees aren’t illegal, employers can place limits on these relationships while at work. Some companies enact a zero-tolerance policy, where an employee is expected to move areas or resign if found to be in a relationship with one of their colleagues. However, this often won’t stop a relationship from being pursued in secret. If an employee is forced to resign because of such a policy, they can also potentially claim it as unfair dismissal. The best approach that employers can take is to reinforce the need for maturity and transparency regarding workplace relationships, neither banning them completely nor encouraging inappropriate behaviour. Being aware of office romances is much safer for a business and its employees, allowing employers to appropriately manage any issues as they arise. Tips for Employers Do Require employees to disclose if they are in a relationship with each other Create a professional conduct policy which protects against sexual harassment Talk with those in a relationship to set up appropriate rules Manage the wider perception of any relationship in the workplace Don’t Create an unnecessarily strict policy on office conduct Allow behaviour which could be misconstrued as sexual harassment Unfairly dismiss employees who breach rules Force relationships to be hidden While office romances can present a challenge for employers, research suggests that the majority of inter-office relationships do not last. This means that employers and managers should seek to remain transparent and accommodating towards employees, while preparing to control any adverse outcomes of a breakup. With the right policies and preparation in place, employers and employees can navigate the world of office romances in a successful and professional manner. Author’s Bio: This article was written by Daniel Defendi, who recommends Perth City Legal for support with sexual harassment claims. Catch Daniel on Google+ to discuss this piece. Go to top Power-Influence-Office Politics: it comes down to your Strategic Relationships and understanding of how you build each one of these elements. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that outlines all of this and meaningful actions you can take today!  Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer