2. Topics
• What is considered romance at the workplace?
• Why is there romance at the workplace?
• Rules and policies constraining romance at the workplace
• Consequences of romance at the workplace
• How should a manager react?
• US data of romance at the workplace compared to other
countries’ data
• Future projection of romance at the workplace
4. Romantic relationship between two members of the same
organization
Office Romance Definition
Sternberg’s Triangular
Theory of Love
• Intimacy
• Passion
• Decision/
commitment
LOVE
PASSION
DECISIONINTIMACY
5. 5 Types of Love
1. Liking
2. Infatuated Love
3. Romantic Love
4. Fatuous Love
5. Consummate Love
9. Workplace Rules and Policies
• Why do we need rules and policies concerning workplace romance?
• How many organizations have written or verbal policies?
– In 2013, 42%
– In 2005, 20%
• Love Contracts
– Employers protect themselves from liability
– Not a substitute for sexual harassment policies
• Training offered to employees on how to manage
workplace romance?
– 10%, for all employees
– 8%, for managers only
– 81%, no type of training on workplace romance
management
10. Types of workplace romances that aren’t
permitted
• Supervisor/Employee
• Employees of significant rank difference
• Employee/Client
• Employees who work on the same projects
• Employees who work in same department but
with different supervisors
• Employee/Vendor
• Employees in different departments
• Employee/Competitor employee
11. Does your organization have a policy that
addresses workplace romance?
36%
6%
54%
5%
18%
7%
72%
2%
A written policy
A verbal policy
No written or verbal
policy
Don’t know
2013 (n = 555)
2005 (n = 491)
12. Upon suspicion or complaint about a possible
workplace romance between employees, what
measures are taken?
73%
60%
45%
32%
28%
23%
18%
7%
16%
58%
45%
47%
31%
33%
19%
13%
21%
25%
Talk to employees involved
Talk to the supervisor/leader of those
involved in the romance
Look for problematic behavior
Monitor conflict among co-workers
Monitor productivity of employees
Talk to co-workers of those involved in the
romance
Monitor correspondence between
suspected employees (e.g., e-…
Support the relationship (e.g., allow
common vacations)
Nothing/no measures taken
Supervisor-direct
report romance
(n = 350)
Other types of
romance (n = 296)
14. Consequences
• Counseling
• A formal written reprimand
• Move to another position within the department
• Transfer to another department within the organization
• Removal from a supervisory position
• Suspension
• Termination
15. Reaction to Consequences
• n= 219
• They accepted the decision – 80%
• They did not accept the decision
and left the organization – 8%
• They did not accept the decision and took legal action against the
organization – 3%
• They did not accept the decision and appealed it – 2%
• Other – 7%
Workplace Romance Survey SHRM 2013
17. How should manager react to
romance in the workplace?
• Relationship between supervisor and subordinate:
– There’s a definite need for the employer to step in
• If their co-workers already have a relationship:
– The employer only needs to be involved if it becomes
a distraction
• Accept it
• Talk about it
• Better understanding of sexual harassment
• Be consistent
• Keep listening
21. Future Projections
• Workplace romance policies are likely in increase in organizations
– More laid back culture of Generation X and Y
– Perceived favoritism
– Sexual Harassment
– Potential for Retaliation
– Employer Liability
22. Sources
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2014.
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Implications 2.8 (2012): 10-35. Web.
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