Businesses Must Contend With More Workplace Romances
By Kevin Smith© Pasadena Star-News, February 13, 2005
Thinking of dating someone at work?
Your chances of finding an unattached co-worker are probably greater than ever. In fact, a newly released survey by global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. finds the number of employed Americans who count themselves as single has grown 18.3 percent since 1995.
But as more employers relax their policies, some are finding that interoffice romance can have its pitfalls.
Companies choosing not to address the workplace romance issue could easily find themselves in a quagmire if an office relationship turns sour. In some cases, these situations can lead to a sexual harassment suit. Other problems may result if one of the employees in a relationship is promoted.
And companies may find it difficult to insist that a once-approved relationship is now forbidden, according to Challenger.
Rosemead-based Edison International, which boasts about 14,000 employees, has workplace policies that address the issue, company spokesman Tom Boyd said.
"We do have a code of business conduct and ethics for all Edison International employees," he said. "We have a rule that you can't directly supervise your spouse or a relative. And you can't supervise someone who is a boyfriend or girlfriend - that would be considered a conflict of interest."
Gary Kaplan, president of Gary Kaplan & Associates, a global executive search firm based in Pasadena, agreed there are more singles that ever in today's workplace.
"People aren't getting married as young as they use to," he said. "They are waiting to complete graduate school and get on solid economic footing. We tend to see more candidates who are not married."
Kaplan said he's not aware of specific company policies regarding dating in the workplace, but he acknowledged it could spell trouble in some situations.
"You have to ask yourself if you want to run the risk of getting into a relationship with an individual at work," he said. "If you break it off you'll still have to see that person. And the smaller the work environment ... the less places there are to hide."
A workplace relationship could also compromise company ethics if one of the two individuals holds a position of influence, Kaplan said.
"You don't want to get into a situation where you are involved with vendors or subordinates," he said. "That puts you in a very awkward position."
Singles now represent 44 percent of the 147.1 million people in the civilian labor force, up from 41 percent just 10 years ago, according to the data Challenger researchers obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Among the single workers in the labor force, 48 percent - or about 28.4 million people - are in the prime dating years of 20 to 34.
"It is no wonder that workplace dating is taking off, with more than 28 million young people, some of whom spend more time together in the office than they do outside of work," said John A. Challenger, chief executive officer of Challenger, Gray & Christmas. "Employers almost have no choice but to permit interoffice dating."
Challenger provided the following guidelines for employers on ways to limit the damage that could result from workplace romance without banning them entirely.
Create a written policy that clearly defines which types of relationships will be permitted.
Define which behavior is appropriate and which is inappropriate.
Set the rules and be consistent about monitoring and disciplining employees.
Kevin Smith can be reached at (626) 962-8811, Ext. 2701, or by e-mail at kevin.smith@sgvn.com.
