Valentine's Day has arrived, and although love is in the air, that does not mean that relationships should impact the quality of work at the office. Sometimes relationships between employees can create drama, which is obviously not conducive to a positive work environment.
Dating policies, however, can be difficult to enforce. These policies can turn HR Departments into the Dating Police, which is not productive or proactive. Although many companies do have policies that dictate relationships related to nepotism in the workplace, it might be better, overall, to clearly communicate what is appropriate for an office romance.
“At the end of the day, you can't control office relationships. They're going to happen, regardless of what may be in the employee handbook,” said Jenna Jordan, vice president of payroll and HR services at Strovis Payroll a Georgetown, S.C. employee administration firm.
“But if employees choose to get into a relationship with a coworker, they are responsible for any consequences should the relationship go sour, or otherwise. Employers need to lay out the consequences, and employees need to know that they are responsible for any work-related probelms that arise because of the relationship.”
Being up front about expectations for office dating can help to handle some of the potential problems that stem from employee relationship drama. Relationships in the workplace are almost inevitable, even if they are “forbidden.” Establish some ground rules to invoke professionalism in the workplace, even if employees may be romantically involved.
Click through the following slides for the DOs and DON'Ts of the office romance to keep relationships between coworkers appropriate.
The DOs
1. DO encourage warm and supportive relationships with your co-workers.
Employees can, and should, get together for drinks after work, go with a group to the movies, or partake in any other social activities that are conducive to team building. These activities can help generate positive work relationships, whether they are platonic or romantic, that will be beneficial to the company overall, because they create a sense of unity among employees.
2. DO date, but only if you can keep the romance part out of the office.
Coworkers who are in a relationship can date after hours, but during the workday, the couple should treat each other professionally and respectfully, just as they treat their other coworkers.
Rule of thumb: If you'd be embarrassed to do something in front of grandma, it does not belong in the office.
3. DO handle disagreements, fights and breakups out of the office.
It can be awkward and uncomfortable to try to settle disputes or disagreements in front of the rest of the office, so employees should strive to resolve their issues away from the workplace. No one wants to witness a rocky relationship, or feel as though they need to pick sides if things become hostile.
If necessary, it is better to take a day off to resolve personal issues, than force the rest of the office to be involved in your personal business.
The DON'Ts
1. DON'T allow work to become your only avenue for social interaction. Having strong friendships and relationships outside the office is important, especially if you need to escape the work world. Find a group of people who are not connected to your workplace, and make plans with them when you need a break from the office.
2. DON'T flaunt PDAs at work. Public Displays of Affection (PDAs) can be uncomfortable, especially in the workplace setting. People who put their romantic life on display can annoy co-workers, and is unprofessional behavior. Be affectionate with your partner, but keep it out of the office.
3. DON'T gossip, speculate, or circulate office rumors of romance. If people aren't talking, there won't be any drama! The elimination of the rumor mill will allowing employees to stay focused on their work, while also keeping any unnecessary drama out of the workplace.
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