How to Handle Employee Office Romances

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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.

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.

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.

Tip
Meet separately with each member of the couple to discuss the particulars of their situation—and the possible consequences of the relationship.

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.

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.

Step 5: Remain hopeful
Hope for the best. A happy office is a productive office!

Did You Know?
Almost half of American office workers have had an employee romance before – and nearly half of them claim it was a total secret.