Blog link about dating in the workplace

[simplydamon]

Hi,


http://personalaccounts.blogs.com/personal_accounts/2004/12/the_skinny_on_o.html

I found these two parts to be interesting:

Company Policy
Companies are far more tolerant of workplace dating than in the past. A study by Vault.com, a workplace and career centre, found that 87 percent of employers have no problem with employee dating as long as work doesn't suffer.

Warning: Office Romances Can be Harmful to Your Single Status
This article is not meant to put a damper on office dating, just to give you some pool safety rules before diving in with both feet. The office is a great place to meet like-minded singles, and relationships born there can be quite successful. A study done by the AMA (American Management Association) found that 44 percent of office romances lead to marriage. That's right, look around you. Your future husband or wife could be collating next to you right now. Don't say you weren't warned.

I was shocked to find out that 44% of these romances actually lead to marriage! I was also shocked to find out that many employers, at least based on survey results, seem to be ok with the romances as long as work doesn't suffer.

[simplydamon]

Another article I was reading, one I don't remember where I found at, also mentioned something dubbed a "love contract". It appears to be a way for the company to be notified of a relationship between co-workers which sets standards for behaviors at the workplace. It is also in place to help stem the possibility of a sexual harassment lawsuit.

Any thoughts? It seems to be an interesting way for all parties to be protected.

[kd5145]

I don't know....that would seem a bit to personal for me. My personal life and work life are seperate and I wouldn't want to justify my personal relationship on work time.

I understand the concept, but I don't know if that would be infringing on someone's right to privacy.

[kd5145]

Let me clarify that. I enjoy personal relationships with people I work with, but when we are at work we are at work. I think that is why that type of "contract" would almost seem insulting to me.

[simplydamon]

While it may seem insulting, I to think it helps in one way because it "formalizes" an aspect of expected behavior between all parties.

For example:
HR couldn't say that they didn't know about the romance.
The employees agree not to engage in poor behavior (having it in writing might stem the temptation to act poorly if things go south).

While not a perfect solution, it does seem better than a company outright banning dating in the workplace (which is probably really tough to enforce).

[simplydamon]

I should also add that I am not in favor of a company trying to be restrictive on a personal issue (dating). At the same time, however, a company has some serious legal issues to consider if things go sour (or someone crosses the line).

The contract issue to me is interesting simply because it seems to set a course of mediation...if that makes sense...

[kd5145]

I agree that it is an interesting concept. It would be interesting to see what kind of resistance an employer would face trying to roll out such a change.

Just my belief that workplace dating, whatever the companies stance on it and expected behavior is better left to their code of conduct or employee handbook.

[George]

Sounds like a prenuptial.