Exploring Workplace Romance: How Does It Affect Organizations and What Can HR Do?

Hi,

I want to do a project on workplace romance and its impact on organizations. Please guide me in this regard. Also, mention HR's recommendations to handle such situations.

Thank you,
Roshmi

Workplace romance: Oh, a good article and a must to discuss.

During my career, I found two instances of such, and how I handled it I am telling you:

1. Here, a typist and an executive amongst a few groups of people started an open romance, and the boy shows interest in the girl. This matter crops up again and again during our lunchtime when we all sit together for lunch.

Here there is no shyness or hesitation, as both are mature. So the girl is openly telling that she is in love with someone else, so she cannot accept his advances. But still, the boy insists and even asks her for a coffee meeting. This finally comes to me for decision-making when both present their case.

Analyzing the situation, I told the boy very clearly that since the girl is quite firm in her decision to marry her school sweetheart, and they love each other (the boy even came to our office from another state just to meet her), there is no chance for him to pressure or insist on her in this.

Finally, the matter was resolved, and she married her sweetheart and settled in Goa, having two children, while the boy also got married elsewhere and now has a child too.

2. The second instance is quite embarrassing: a senior making advances towards a junior, affecting the work. Here, the senior is quite equivalent to my rank, so I had to report to my big boss. However, no action has been taken, and the situation worsened. Both left the organization without any information.

There are some organizations that promote marriages amongst employees; you could try that perspective too.

I hope you are serious about your project topic. I wonder why you have chosen it.

Most of the Indian organizations, managements, seniors, and our culture are against workplace romance. Some organizations have policies not allowing husbands and wives to work in the same company or department. Despite this, few romances do happen. The real challenge is to collect authentic data on the topic. How many managers will take this topic seriously and be willing to provide authentic information on this subject? It is very hard to collect authentic data and information on the impact on the organization. There is no point in doing a project without good data and information, even though the topic sounds trendy and attractive.

You can possibly write a good movie script, but not a project report. All the best.

Hi, I want to do a project on workplace romance and its impact on organizations. Please guide me in this regard. Also, mention HR's recommendations to handle such situations.

Thank you, Roshmi

Hi,

I think the topic is very good. The issue is currently on the ascendency, and a lot of companies are facing this problem where subordinates are being dated/romanced by top executives, leading to non-performance at work, and also a lack of respect for their immediate bosses.

My worry is how to gather facts to support the project since the very people who should be able to disclose the negatives of their organization might be involved themselves. Please pursue this, and it will be a very good reference material to combat this social issue.

Best regards,
bostockhr

Romance in the office can really affect the functioning of an office and morale. Due to the same reason, we already had a detailed discussion on this topic, "flirting in the office." You can visit that. It presents a case from an office, and then everyone contributed their ideas.