Total Articles: 11
Workplace (aka "fake") spouses -- a lot of hype, but here's how to avoid problems.
This February ("Valentine's Month"), there was a lot in the news about "workplace spouses." Last week, I was interviewed about this by Denis and Shelli of WSBT radio in South Bend, Indiana.
Where Love Abounds: Dealing With Workplace Romance
As Valentines Day approaches, some of your employees are getting into a romantic mood—perhaps with their co-workers. Your killjoy lawyer asks a question: Should an employer be concerned about workplace romances?
TOP 10 WAYS TO DEAL WITH WORKPLACE ROMANCES.
The recent spotlight on David Letterman’s alleged affairs with female subordinates is a useful reminder for careful employers: create a systematic plan for dealing with workplace harassment and romantic relationships. And then follow it.
Sexual Harassment Compliance Review: Workplace Romance.
As Valentines Day approaches, some of your employees are getting into a romantic mood—perhaps with their co-workers. Your killjoy lawyer asks a question: Should an employer be concerned about workplace romances?
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do: Love Contracts Can Make It Easier.
A 2007 Spherion Workplace Snapshot survey revealed that approximately 40% of U.S. workers have dated a co-employee, and that another 40% would consider doing so. Inevitably, most workplace relationships end. Some end badly, and many of those result in litigation involving claims of coercion or retaliation, despite the fact that most of these relationships are completely consensual at the outset.
Affair at Chili's Grill Sizzles – Restaurant Almost Gets Burned.
A recent decision by a federal appeals court should make employers, especially within the hospitality industry, take a look at their approach to office romances. Over the years, some courts have been hesitant to hold an employer liable for sexual discrimination when the harassment at issue is predicated solely upon an acrimonious breakup of an office romance. But this case illustrates a shift in this philosophy, recognizing that the focus in a harassment claim must be on the conduct at issue and that the motivating factor behind the harassment is irrelevant.
No Fraternization Policy: 1, Love: 0.
Workplace romances can lead to claims of sexual harassment, favoritism, breaches of ethics, and generally poor employee morale. As a result, many employers implement no-fraternization policies. The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin) recently upheld a no-fraternization policy that was more strict than the norm.
"What’s Love Got To Do With It?" The Role of "Love Contracts" in the Workplace.
Can a so-called "love contract" between an executive and an employee, who willingly enter into a romantic relationship, save an employer from liability for harassment and retaliation claims, disastrous adverse publicity, untold workplace disruption, and attorney's fees? The answer is maybe – in the right cases and assuming that the employer selectively uses such written agreements together with meaningful enforcement of good no-harassment/no-retaliation and no-conflicts of interest policies.
Playing Favorites -- Romantic or Otherwise -- Is a Messy Game in the Workplace.
The fact that favoritism in the workplace exists is not news, but in high-profile cases, it often makes the news. Two years ago, for example, Harry C. Stonecipher was forced to resign the presidency of aerospace giant Boeing over a relationship with a Boeing executive. This spring, World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz had to resign after being accused of arranging a big raise and promotion for a woman with whom he was having a relationship.
Office Romances and the Risk of Liability.
A recent study revealed that at least seventy percent of employees will date someone at work at least once during their careers. In fact, nearly one-half of all married couples met each other in the workplace. In light of these statistics, employers cannot ignore the various issues that may arise when employees engage in romantic relationships with people they meet at work.
Love is in the Air -- Evaluating Office Romance Policies
Half of all employees have engaged in a romantic relationship with a co-worker.
