Navigating Workplace Romance: How Do Indian Companies Handle Office Dating?

"Don't get your honey where you make your money? According to a recent survey by Jobbguiden.se, 66 percent of Greek workers date their coworkers. In the Netherlands, 51 percent do. The US? Forty percent, behind Spain, Sweden and the UK. Coincidentally, men in Spain, the Netherlands and Greece are more likely to date a coworker in a higher position. In Sweden, the UK, Germany, and the U.S., women are. Captain"

Thank you, Ravi, for sharing information. I was actually amazed by the post "Boss Proposed Me." I presume that "He" in disguise of "she" posted this issue of a 62-year-old boss proposing a young colleague. The manner in which it was posted, as proposing someone, is considered an offense in India. However, proposing and dating are common practices. I read some of the respondents' reactions to this issue as a heinous crime.

Dating and proposing are personal affairs and not an official matter. 😄

Regards,
Captain

Hi...

The entire statistic specified by you does not mention anything about Indians. As you are also Indian, you are familiar with the culture and values in India. I do not want to get into any arguments, but what we are discussing, regarding employees who are okay with dating and such, represents a minority community. Even in India, women hold values that may not align with such behavior.

You are Indian, so if she has posted something, why are you reacting with cultural shock? Yes, it is possible with anyone, and that too with a 62-year-old male boss! She might not have reacted the same way if he were 30 or 35. It's human behavior. If you have Indian statistics on the same subject, kindly let me know. No offense, just an opinion.

Aparna

Dear Mr. Captain,

All that talk of dating and HR practice is nonsense and displays immaturity on the part of the concerned individual. The question or topic does not merit any response. Again, these statistics are all figures taken out of the blue.

I am only pained to see that a public forum such as this is used to go to any extent to raise trivial and private issues, which are smartly viewed as HR practice instead of sharing useful and purposeful knowledge. This is the price we are all paying for the unchecked advancement in science and technology. Where is the question of practice, leave alone HR practice, for such issues at this period of turbulent economic period in our country?

Everyone should realize that there is a self-imposed restraint not to use the forum above the board.

Regards,
V. Rangarajan.

If this dating business is not HR practice, then "Proposal by Boss" also cannot be an HR issue. 😄 I believe this is a reciprocal gesture to that "BOSS PROPOSED ME." Although it's not an HR issue, it did contribute as HR indicators. Especially in the Western world. While I was in Finland, some HR consulting companies mentioned in their questionnaire for surveys on HR issues how these things affect work culture and the retention of employees.

Best regards

Dear all,

I believe we have many more topics to discuss in HR than dating and affairs. I apologize if my tone comes across as too direct.

Hi Aparna, I also agree with you that we have a different set of cultures and values in our country, and I personally respect this too. However, it is also true that the values are changing rapidly without any question, regardless of how much you and I may dislike this. Today, Indians are dating their coworkers, and lots of women are visiting pubs, nightclubs, and bars with their male counterparts. Office affairs are common, and breakups occur due to changes in the company or job location. I have even seen successful marriages resulting from office affairs.

Therefore, office affairs are no longer taboo in India. Many times, male bosses use their young female coworkers or secretaries, and women engage in extramarital affairs with male bosses to gain job benefits.

Some members believe it is not the right place to discuss these things. However, today's HR practices are becoming more involved in such issues, whether intentionally or not. These issues can negatively impact the work environment and productivity, so HR must be responsible and handle them tactfully. Despite the arguments from friends who believe these are personal matters that HR forums should not delve into, I ask them: should HR not be responsible when our employees face objectionable proposals in the workplace, leading to demoralization and insecurity?

It is indeed challenging to address such situations in the workplace, especially when senior individuals are involved. Therefore, we can discuss this in a positive manner to understand the impact on HR and how to resolve these issues.

Hi Friends,

Workplace activities are confined to only work-related activities, and if something outside the scope of work may arise due to human behavior, it can be dealt with from a human relations angle only.

HR is a wider subject, but it should be in the context of HR Management subjects only. If someone gets into an affair or is tempted towards another coworker, this is not an HR issue.

We should appreciate the openness of people loving each other in the office but ensure that it does not affect work. The rest is their concern. My friend is in HR; he got married to a woman from his office, and both have been working in the same company for more than 12 years. Another friend of mine was in love during his MBA, got a job, recruited his girlfriend, got married, and worked in the same organization for over 10 years.

Nothing is wrong; everything is fair until it does not bother a third person.

Rashid

Hello everybody,

I am an HR professional in a company, and the team is very young. They are romancing during lunchtime and also at tea breaks. We have no policy that prohibits that, but sometimes it is getting out of hand. What are your views on the subject?

Thanks,
Nishi

Dear Nishi,

Please understand that views expressed by Mr. Rashid on the subject are not common but they are exceptional cases. No rule will do anything to prohibit any immoral behavior or act in the office or in the public office. This indicates that they should be self-restrained or self-controlled, which are driven by values, common sense, family culture, or upbringing. These traits are grown and nurtured during the prime age between 12 to 22 years irrespective of sex.

It is pathetic and tragic that these values are questioned or subjected to different interpretations to suit the style and priorities of the people. If it happens to you or in your family or gets noticed or when embarrassed, only then will people realize who and what the third person is.

As a person dealing with HR issues, it is my opinion. As someone suggested, do not be misguided by the self-proclaimed rules or exceptional cases.

All the Best Wishes.

Rangarajan.