Career Builder’s workplace dating survey highlights workplace dating was at a 10-year low in 2018. Many employers speculate this is due to the #MeToo movement. It is naïve to believe employees do not date fellow employees, customers, and vendors. The survey found the following:
– 22 percent of workers have dated their boss, up from 15 percent in 2017
– 31 percent of workers who started dating at work ended up getting married
– Almost 1 in 10 female workers whose romance at work soured left their job
– 41 percent of workers had to keep their love relationship a secret
Companies should be prepared to change policies from no dating to a utilizing a Love Contract or consensual agreement with the Love Birds. A Love Contract can protect the employer from liability for sexual harassment claims. When a Consensual Agreement (Love Contract) is in the employee handbook, employees do not feel like they need to hide their relationship and are more open with the employer.
Love contracts have been around for several years and employers are now using them more and more. Love Contracts or Consensual Agreements can protect the employer and should include the following:
- Both “workplace lovers” who are involved romantically, must sign and acknowledge the relationship is consensual.
- The contract should direct the “workplace lovers” to notify the company if the relationship ends.
- Management confirms the consensual relationship in separate discussions with each “workplace lover.” Advise them each individually of the company’s sexual harassment and other related policies.
- The love contract should also stress the importance of professionalism in the workplace and all work-related
- Ensure that the relationship does not affect other employees in the workplace (for example, no PDA).
- Advise the “workplace lovers” that any favoritism towards each other could be a violation of company policies and would be considered a conflict of interest.
- Advise the “workplace lovers” that their personal “love” problems will not be addressed by any company management.
- The “workplace lovers” should understand that the company resources such as telephones and emails are monitored and they should not engage in “love notes” that take time away from the company
- If the “workplace lovers” are in a subordinate manager relationship, transfer one of them to another position and include that in the Love Contract.
Workplace relationships can be challenging to manage but ensuring that everyone understands their responsibilities can help protect the Company and create a culture of openness and honesty.
Watch my Fox Interview regarding Love Contracts: https://video.foxbusiness.com/v/2221454649001/?playlist_id=933116614001#sp=show-clips
- 1) Love Contracts Get the Double Take, Barbara Reeves Neal, SHRM
2) Love is in the Air- Evaluating Office Romance Policies, Ron Chapman, JR. & Denise C. Villani, The Employment Law Authority
3) Career Builder. Workplace Office Romance Survey (2018)