Office romance is fairly common these days as the office is where we spend so much of our time. Handled well, it can lead to a relationship. Handled badly, it can lead to a lawsuit for harassment.

It is not surprising that romance springs up at the office. We spend a third or more of our lives in the office or other places of work. It is a non-threatening environment where we have an opportunity to meet potential dating partners and learn more about them than just what they look like. Yet romantic involvement between employees is loaded with dangers for both the employees and for their employer.

Many companies tried to ban dating among their employees. Most have since abandoned that plan, because of legal restrictions and a recognition of the inevitable. Instead, most now try to restrict such activities that are harmful to the business.

Is It Appreciated?

Is It Appropriate?

What Are the Downsides?

What Are the Upsides?

The upside to romance in the office is that you will have some happy workers. When people are happy they tend to be more productive and have fewer health issues. When partners work for the same employer, they have someone they can talk with about their activities and problems at work who understands and can help them resolve the issues.

What Do You Need to Do?

You need to develop a fraternization policy, publicize it, and then enforce it.

The specifics of a fraternization (or non-fraternization) policy for your company will depend on your company's culture and industry, the laws of your location, and good managerial decisions about what you want to accomplish.

If you encounter a problem situation, you may need to relocate one party or the other so they no longer work together. If you can't find another position within the company for either of them, let them decide who leaves. (If they don't decide, you must be prepared to make the decision, and document the business purpose behind it.)

Once you have developed your policy, publish it to all employees. Give a copy to all new employees as part of their new employee orientation. Make sure everyone in the organization knows the policy, and knows the penalties for violating the policy.

A "broken heart" can be a severe emotional stress for some people. Be sure your employees know about your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) if you have one. If you don't have an EAP, you should look at adding one to your employee benefits package.

Finally, once you publish the policy, you must enforce it. Be careful to be even-handed in your enforcement of the policy so that you don't get accused of gender bias. Look at each situation on its own merits. Don't arbitrarily assume that the more senior individual in the relationship is more valuable to the company.

Managing the Issue

A well-written, widely publicized, strictly enforced fraternization policy won't prevent office romances from developing. It will, however, make life a lot easier and less litigious for you when you have to deal with it.