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Workplace Romance

Workplace romances involve two members of an organization developing mutual attraction. While such relationships can energize morale and motivate employees, they also threaten career advancements and complicate work relationships. If the romance ends, it can damage relationships within the workplace and cause awkward interactions between coworkers. The involvement can also negatively impact work performance and lead to conflicts of interest, especially if the individuals are in different departments or have different roles within the company. Overall, while workplace romances present some benefits, they introduce many complications and challenges for both the individuals and the organization.

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126 views

Workplace Romance

Workplace romances involve two members of an organization developing mutual attraction. While such relationships can energize morale and motivate employees, they also threaten career advancements and complicate work relationships. If the romance ends, it can damage relationships within the workplace and cause awkward interactions between coworkers. The involvement can also negatively impact work performance and lead to conflicts of interest, especially if the individuals are in different departments or have different roles within the company. Overall, while workplace romances present some benefits, they introduce many complications and challenges for both the individuals and the organization.

Uploaded by

Ronaldo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Workplace romance exists when two members of the same organization develop

a relationship with mutual attraction. Those who develop workplace romances may cause
damages to morale and productivity in the workplace. Along with this, businesses and companies
are still confused at whether or not they should interfere in the romantic relationship. If they do
choose to interfere, what department should be in control of handling the situation and what
policies should be set if workplace romances do happen. If there are not policies, should there be
set guidelines? These are still questions that many companies are trying to answer.[1]

When in a workplace people grow bonds with their co-workers that go beyond just friendly
'lunch' meetings. They grow in-depth relationships that deepen intoromance. A place where
people share a common interest, and spend most of their time, provides the perfect opportunity
for love. While love can make one do crazy things[citation needed], it is important to keep a clear mind
and realize the pros and cons to developing a relationship with a co-worker.
An added complication is that one or both partners involved in a workplace romance may be
married or in a relationship outside of the workplace. Co-workers aware of an adulterous
workplace relationship may become uncomfortable, viewing themselves as party to the deceit.

Workplace Romance involves two members of the same organization who experience mutual
attraction (Pierce et al., 1996, p. 6). As individuals spend increasing hours in the workplace, they
begin to spend more time with co-workers building relationships. While employers may desire
for employees to be happy, workplace romance is a highly sensitive subject, due to the lack of
formal rules and policies in businesses, almost all working citizens will be somehow be
connected to a workplace romance.
Advantages
Romantic relationships in the workplace can have several benefits to those involved as well as to
the work environment. Some examples include the following:[2]
1. Energize workplace morale
There is something about watching people fall in love that makes others feel positive as well.
The attitudes of the two people involved in the romantic relationship are often uplifting, and they
become happier individuals, which reflects back on their attitudes toward their work and their
coworkers. The other employees that see this relationship unfold often feel uplifted as well
especially if they were able to play a part in the development of the budding relationship.

2. Motivate employees[edit]
Because workplace romances are often viewed in a negative light, the individuals involved are
often motivated to do their job better and more efficiently in order to disprove the negativity
associated with their relationship with a coworker. Those involved do not want to be thought of
as distracted or unproductive due to their relationship status, so they may put in extra time and
effort to demonstrate the positive aspects of their romance. Also, being in love leads to positive
attitudes, which in turn motivates people to do well in other aspects of their lives.
3. Encourage creativity and innovation[edit]
Creativity and innovation are other aspects associated with positive attitudes. Coworkers in a
relationship spend a lot of time together both in and out of the workplace, so there is more
opportunity to discuss new approaches and techniques to completing projects together. The
individuals in the relationship maybrainstorm ways to get their work done faster and more
efficiently, so they may spend more time together outside of the workplace.
4. Soften work-related personality conflicts[edit]
Romantic relationships in the workplace allow the individuals involved to become more open
and willing to cooperate with each other. In conjunction with having more positive attitudes
toward their work, individuals are often easier to work with because they feel more comfortable
expressing their ideas and criticisms with their significant other. This behavioral change can lead
to more effective work groups, and in the end, a more productive atmosphere in which
open communicationis a key aspect.
5. Improve teamwork, communication, and cooperation[edit]
A couple's relationship can provide further communication channels within the workplace
especially if the individuals are members of different departments. The personal connection the
two individuals have with each other can allow the members of their respective departments to
feel more comfortable communicating back and forth as well. Because the channels of
communication become more open and accessible, conflicts between departments are also
reduced allowing the company to work more effectively as a whole.
Disadvantages[edit]
In addition to the benefits of romantic relationships in the workplace, there are several negative
aspects that the romance may cause to the couple as well as to the company as a whole.[2]
1. Threaten career advancements[edit]
A fear that many employees have when thinking about getting involved in a romantic
relationship with a coworker is eliminating any potential they may have forupward mobility in
the company. For instance, some managers may see the development of a workplace romance as
unprofessional and a possible lack of judgement that may discourage them from offering the
employees involved any further advancements within the company. Many employees view a
romantic relationship in the workplace as a risk that is not worth taking because it may
jeopardize their career.

2. Complicate work relationships[edit]


When office relationships end in a breakup, it can not only ruin the relationship between the two
co-workers involved, but it can also eliminate any personal connections that the employees had
with their previous partners department. Because the two employees will continue to see each
other on a daily basis, the breakup can cause negative feelings toward the other individual as
well as a reminder of one's failure.[3]
3. Co-worker confusion[edit]
Romantic relationships in the workplace are often known and easily detected by the couple's
fellow co-workers. Once it is made known that the two individuals are in a relationship, it is
often difficult for their co-workers to know whether to view them as individuals or as a team.
Co-workers are often confused about how to react to the news of the relationship or the breakup,
which can lead to awkward interactions in the workplace as well as avoided conversation. In
addition, co-workers may often use the couple's relationship to change the opinions of one of the
individuals instead of approaching the person directly. Also, the individuals in the relationship
can often be misjudged because of the person they are in a relationship with. For example, a
manager may pass up an employee for a promotion because he/she is in a relationship with an
individual who does not exemplify the needed characteristics, and it is assumed that the couple is
alike in that regard.
4. Work performance decline[edit]
The involvement of two employees in a romantic relationship can negatively affect their work
performance due to distractions in the workplace. Fellow employees are likely to notice any
decline in an individual's work because their workload is often determined by their coworkers. Concentration levels may decrease depending on the stage in the relationship.
5. Conflict of interest[edit]
Main article: Conflict of interest
Conflicts of interest often arise in workplace relationships especially when the couple works in
different departments. Their opinions may differ, and they may disclose private information to
each other that may hurt either side when making important company decisions. Many
companies have policies that do not allow married couples to work together to avoid conflicts of
interest in hopes of maintaining the integrity of the company as well as protecting the couple's
relationship. However, some companies do allow married couples to work together but may
provide guidelines on what is ethical and what is not. While working together at the same level
may be acceptable, when the couple works in hierarchical roles, the standards may change.
[4]
Another type of relationship that may cause a conflict of interest is when an employee is
involved with a manager or an individual in a higher position. Coworkers may feel as if the
employee in the relationship is receiving special treatment, and this in turn can affect the way
employees trust the management of the company.

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