Love knows no boundaries, and it’s always wonderful to play cupid by creating conditions for a relationship to blossom. If there’s one thing this world lacks, it’s love, and we all want to do everything we can to spread it.
Fostering love, even in the workplace, is fine. But promoting fornication, infidelity, flirting, harassment, and inappropriate behavior is not.
The issue is that it’s impossible to distinguish between the two beforehand. Our employees first fall in love, and only then can we determine if both are single, if they just want something casual, and so forth. The problem is that, aside from love, all these relationships can cause issues for our business. If even the person who is the mother of your children today could be your biggest enemy tomorrow, imagine a casual fling with someone you barely speak to now, even though you work in the same place.
It is for these and other reasons that most companies have a similar policy regarding this matter, which should be included either in the Employment Contract or the Company Code of Conduct:
- Romantic relationships between colleagues must be declared to Human Resources.
This way, it’s possible to monitor the performance of both colleagues involved both during the relationship and afterward, and mediate if any animosity arises.
Our employees are adults and do not need us to meddle in their personal affairs or dictate who they should or should not date. But we have a duty to them and all other colleagues to create a safe and pleasant work environment. Romantic relationships are passionate, and when the heart enters through the window, the brain exits through the door. It is the company’s management’s duty to witness this relationship and remain clear-headed throughout.
But what happens if two colleagues get involved and do not declare it?
- This would be a breach of contract or the Company Code of Conduct and should be sanctioned, including the possibility of the employees being dismissed.
Remember, the goal here is not to police adults but to create a pleasant work environment. There is nothing more unpleasant than one of the former lovers harming the other and thus harming the company out of spite or jealousy. Nor is it pleasant to see one trying to get the other fired. Management must always intervene when they notice problems between employees; only then can a good working environment be created for everyone.
The Entrepreneurial Experience Day 5
Stélio Inácio