According to statistics, one in three started relationships at work - 25% are still found, the rest broke up.
The development of close relationships at work is a natural process. Constant communication, office life, mutual assistance, soulful conversations over tea, corporate parties.
Plus, starting a relationship with a well-studied person is easier and safer - no need to leave the comfort zone. But is it worth it to become more than colleagues - opinions differ.
90% of western and 50% of Russian employers are against love affairs at work. The relationship of colleagues reduces efficiency, spoils the atmosphere in the team, more often ends with the dismissal of one of the couple.
In the USA, they sign a Love Contract, which lists the consequences and obligations of an employee in case of violation of the corporate policy of neutral relations.
The toughest love contract involves the dismissal of one or both. But usually this is a series of conditions that a couple must fulfill - for example: not to show physical proximity in the office, not to reveal corporate secret to a partner, not to work on one project.
Psychologists and coaches say different things. Some are categorically against office romances, others have found love for business in love.
Career expert from the United States Dorothy Moran noted that law enforcement and investigative agencies, on the contrary, encourage relationships at work. This helps retain employees despite stress and heavy workloads.
Pros and cons of relationships at work
You can argue for a long time on the topic of good and evil, but it is better to weigh the Pros and Cons. We have collected the most obvious pros and cons of love relationships at work.
+ Safe environment for starting a relationship
+ Common interests
+ Ally at work
+ Improved workflows and good mood
+ “Peppercorn” in a relationship
- See the “ex” at work every day
- Gossip and conviction of colleagues
- the need to hide
- Spoiled relationships with colleagues, including jealousy
- Moral torment
An office romance can develop into a happy marriage - a chance of 8%. But also such relationships end in revenge and even physical violence.
Harassment at work
In the USA, flirting and close ties with a colleague can result in real problems with the law - accusations of harassment and discrimination.
An employer may be accused of infringement of rights by an object of abuse or an observer. Consider the situation:
John noticed that his colleague Mary often leaves for a meeting with the boss, they arrive at the same time in the morning, and exchange meaningful looks at coffee. Suddenly, Mary receives a raise and a good increase in salary, although John works longer and successfully copes with tasks.
John may file a lawsuit against discrimination.
With harassment in the West, too, strictly. Harassment can be any evaluative words and actions that cause inconvenience.
In 2018, Google fired 48 employees for harassment. The total amount of lawsuits for harassment in the United States is approaching the mark of a billion dollars.
In Russia there are no laws defining the boundaries of behavior. High-level punishment is possible under article 133 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation for “forcing a person to have sexual intercourse or committing other acts of a sexual nature” - a year in prison or a fine of 120,000 rubles.
How to deal with harassment at work
1. Talk to the aggressor
Clearly indicate the position and unwillingness to communicate on non-working topics. Ignoring and joking will not help in this situation.
2. Ask for peer support
Publicity will cool the stalker a bit.
3. Meet the boss
The boss will find leverage to control employee behavior - reprimand, fines, dismissal.
4. Threaten the court
In extreme cases, you can go to court - if the claim is satisfied, then compensation will be forced to pay both the offending colleague and the employer.
5. quit
If none of the above works or if someone from the management is bothering you, it is better to leave.
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