VIEWPOINT
IS COUPLING-UP WITH A COLLEAGUE LEGAL?
For years, it has generally accepted that the workplace was a hive for blossoming romances, with some statistics indicating that approximately 24% of people have admitted to having a liaison with a colleague at some point in time. But should they?
WITH SO MUCH of our lives spent working closely alongside our co-workers, this is perhaps unsurprising. But whilst it might all seem like harmless fun on the surface, it’s important to understand just how ill-advised a workplace romance actually is.
What are the common issues?
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Whilst not unlawful, workplace romances can be a bit of an ethical challenge, especially in sectors where people work in close teams, or there is
an imbalance in gender or orientation. Smaller businesses will often struggle too because there will be limited HR or legal to assist if things go awry. Romantic relations being conducted between colleagues can be hugely distracting, for both those involved but also close co-workers, which can have an impact on productivity and service quality. It is likely to nurture a culture of rumour and gossipmongering, resulting in time-wasting and or even accusations of favouritism.
But there are also numerous more serious issues that can develop out of a workplace romance, including the very real threat of sexual harassment claims, which is exactly why it’s so vital that any buddling relationship be voluntarily declared to employers upfront. Declarations of this ilk ultimately allow businesses to take steps to mitigate any such issues. Likely steps will be to alter reporting lines, specifically if one half of the couple is instrumental in the management of the other.
This is primarily because issues often arise when the line of accountability and responsibility become blurred or indeed compromised by a personal relationship being formed.
Addressing the balance of power Irrespective of being under direct supervision of your beau or not, if one-half of the relationship holds a more senior position, the balance of power will not be even.
This is referred to as an
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