It can be difficult to manage a romantic relationship in the workplace, both for the employer and for the employees involved. However, the emergence of these types of relationships is also inevitable, as the likelihood of finding someone with common interests increases when you spend at least 40 hours a week together. When having a romantic relationship in the workplace, it is important that both people behave with professionalism and discretion.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Handling the Relationship by the Employee
Step 1. Get to know the rules governing romantic relationships in the workplace
It is always best to be aware of the rules to follow when working. Inform and inform your partner of company policies that affect what to do when dealing with relationships in the workplace.
- Once you have learned the rules, you can do your best to avoid breaking them. You should also know what kind of problems you can run into if you break these rules.
- See the Company's Office Conduct Manual and read the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Regarding Harassment for more information.
Step 2. Only hang out with people who are at the same level as you
It would be best to only hang out with employees of the same level as you. When you go out with a superior or a person below your level, you risk complicating your situation.
- Dating with a manager or someone below your level can be risky because others will be inclined to gossip about your relationship. For example, if you are in a relationship with a lower-level employee, people may think that you are taking advantage of your position to manipulate the other person. Also, such a situation could result in a harassment report if the relationship goes wrong beyond what is expected.
- If, on the other hand, you are in a relationship with a supervisor, other employees may think that you are doing it only to get advantages, such as a promotion or a raise.
Step 3. Keep your habits intact
The best way to manage your relationship is to put protective armor around your relationship so that no one knows about it until you decide to tell others.
- Always do the same hours of work and don't deliberately avoid the other person. Spend your lunch break as usual.
- People notice every little change, and if you do something different, the office gossips won't miss a chance to gossip about it.
Step 4. Keep the relationship secret for as long as possible
You will likely be tempted to tell your friends who work with you about your story, but perhaps it is wiser not to give in to this temptation. The fewer people know, the better.
- If you're in a relationship with another employee and things get more complicated, it's good for your boss to learn the situation directly from you and not through office gossip.
- There's nothing wrong with telling friends about it, as long as they don't talk about it. However, you should preferably tell people who have no working relationship with you.
Step 5. Leave no traces
Corporate email messages aren't private, so you shouldn't let any of your relationship leak out by email.
- Most companies have a server from which all emails can be easily retrieved and which can keep track of emails sent between employees. You will have more proof against you if your relationship ends badly beyond the expected.
- If you really like the idea of writing something sweet, try using a post-it to communicate your message. Furthermore, it is strongly recommended to limit the use of text messages to avoid the risk of getting caught.
Step 6. Avoid introducing yourself to corporate events with the other person
Using caution in the workplace can be relatively easy, because most of the time you are very busy. However, if you organize events of an official nature, such as gathering at the bar or seeing each other at Christmas time, the risk of getting caught increases. Don't put yourself in danger, as office gossip tends to spread like wildfire.
Purposely avoiding these situations will reward you over time. If you can't completely ignore these events, try to show up at different times so that you are less noticeable
Step 7. Don't let the relationship affect your work
You can send text messages if you deem it necessary, but other than that, nothing about your relationship should become a distraction or affect your performance at work.
- You risk jeopardizing your career if you fail your job responsibilities for the benefit of a relationship.
- Keep busy while at work and you won't have time to expose yourself to any risks. If you don't keep busy, you will think more about your partner or you will be bound to change your plans regarding the various opportunities for interaction.
Step 8. Tell your boss when the time is right
If the relationship gets serious and you're tired of hiding it all the time, it's a great idea to set up a meeting with your employer and let them know in person.
- Provided the relationship does not constitute a direct violation of the code of business conduct and ethics regarding harassment or romantic relationships within the workplace, and as long as you both engage in professional behavior at work, your boss will have no reason. to oppose.
- The employer should appreciate your honesty and will likely accept your relationship if they learn the news directly from you rather than from someone else.
Method 2 of 3: Managing the Relationship by the Employer
Step 1. Prepare the administrative staff
It is about training and instructing supervisors and managers to deal with all the romantic relationships that arise in the workplace with discretion. They should be advised to monitor employee relations without violating privacy rules.
- Executives should be instructed to amicably and quietly prepare employees who establish romantic relationships with each other. If necessary, they should talk to employees about the negative influence that romantic relationships could have on the work environment, productivity, or team morale.
- They should also be instructed to keep their ears open to gossip and potentially career-damaging behavior in case relationships do end. If a breakup turns into a sexual harassment complaint, it is recommended that they take immediate action by consulting with HR executives.
Step 2. Publish the corporate code of conduct regarding harassment
The company must have a well-defined policy for handling sexual harassment complaints. This policy should specify how to handle sexual harassment.
The business code of conduct should serve the purpose of educating employees about behaviors that fall within the definition of harassment and emphasize the fact that the company will maintain a zero tolerance policy towards sexual harassment
Step 3. Develop or review company rules regarding romantic relationships in the workplace
If the company deems it appropriate, it can be a good idea to set different rules in the case of relationships in the workplace. However, this is sometimes covered by the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Against Harassment.
- The rules governing romantic relationships in the workplace may provide that all staff members are required to behave professionally, and that all personal interactions and romantic relationships must be kept outside the workplace.
- In addition, the consequences of a relationship must be clearly explained within the corporate code if it ends negatively.
Step 4. Handle any issues in accordance with the business code of conduct
Once you have a concrete code of rules to review periodically, you should be ready to handle problems when they arise.
Step 5. Beware of inappropriate behavior
There must be a level of professionalism and decorum throughout the office, beyond any possible relationship. Therefore, when two employees work together, they must be observed closely to detect any inappropriate behavior.
- Attitudes such as holding hands, talking intimately, standing side by side, spending time together unnecessarily, and so on, are inadequate in the workplace and need to be nipped in the bud. If you are lenient, they risk irritating other employees, engaging in careless behavior, and impacting productivity.
- However, if two employees behave appropriately and their relationship does not seem to affect their productivity or the mood of other employees in any way, there is no reason why the relationship should not be allowed to continue.
Step 6. Take note of employee reports
Sometimes, relationships in work settings can affect other employees in a negative way, and when they do, other employees are required to present their concerns in the form of reports.
- Dealing with any reports from employees about a romantic relationship at work becomes more important if the relationship negatively affects the work environment and productivity.
- Second, you need to take notice of reports of harassment if, following a breakup, either of you reaches out to you to make such an allegation. When such a complaint comes in, you need to consider the employee's background before making a decision.
Step 7. Keep the matter in complete confidentiality
Every employer is aware that such a sensitive topic should not be disclosed, as it must be handled with extreme discretion.
If you try to discuss the problem in front of other staff members, you risk embarrassing the employees involved in the relationship and could even be interpreted as an attitude that violates privacy
Step 8. Take appropriate action
It involves taking all the measures you deem appropriate to keep the performance and behavior of employees intact, given the influence they would have on the organization as a whole. Many times companies act strictly so that others learn.
- The appropriate measures to be taken depend on the specific situation. Sometimes only minor changes may be needed, such as relocating employees to a new job or position. However, sometimes more drastic measures need to be taken, such as firing an employee for sexual harassment.
- Other similar measures include the organization of meetings to update employees throughout the company on the corporate code of conduct, in order to ensure that the working environment continues to be pleasant and to avoid similar situations in the future.
Method 3 of 3: Evaluate the Positive and Negative Aspects
Step 1. Learn about the negative aspects of a romantic relationship in the workplace
Keep in mind that no matter how idyllic the relationship is in its early days, romance in the workplace can turn into a disaster.
- Since you are in constant interaction with your partner, you can face friction within the relationship, as you will likely feel the need to be alone for a while to pursue your interests, such as dating friends. Time to spend on your own can become a subject of discussion.
- You may get distracted at work and not be able to do your homework properly. You should also be able to avoid accusations of favoritism or conflict of interest.
- There is also a risk of becoming jealous if others feel they have a right to flirt with your partner because they have to keep the relationship a secret. You should handle this with maturity.
Step 2. Be aware of the consequences that could arise from a romantic relationship in the workplace
Before starting a relationship like this, carefully consider the person with whom you feel involved and what could be the possible consequences of a relationship, but also of a possible breakup.
- If you are in a relationship with a colleague who is in danger of being wrecked when the forecasts of career advancement are more than rosy, the situation could become embarrassing.
- If you are in a relationship with an employee below your level, false allegations of favoritism or harassment could arise after the breakup.
- If the breakup negatively affects other business relationships or turns into a harassment complaint, you risk being fired.
Step 3. Consider the positive aspects of a romantic relationship in the workplace
On the other hand, a relationship in the workplace can be a good thing. If you've found someone you enjoy being with and who shares the same interests as you, then it's an event to celebrate, not something to feel guilty about.
- If your job requires you to spend a lot of time in the office, your opportunities to meet someone outside the professional sphere will be limited. By engaging with someone who works with you, the anxiety of having to look for a person to date will disappear and you will have the certainty that the other person understands your schedules and the needs required by the job.
- The second advantage is that you will be able to spend many hours together with the other person and have a much clearer idea of what it really is, before things get serious. This way, you can avoid a lot of stress and pain in the future.
- Plus, by sharing the car to go to work together, you can save on gas costs!
