Romance at the Workplace: The Issues, the Law, and Some Suggestions

Renee M. Schwartz and Linda M. Storm

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DOI: 10.2190/XCJQ-JVWJ-X5L1-9214

Abstract

Romance in the workplace is a growing phenomenon that can be seen as a blessing or a curse. Some of the issues that have generated discussion involve the impact of romance on productivity, morale, and the careers of the romantic couple; the effects on the business; questions of individual privacy and managerial surveillance; and the potential connection between workplace romance and sexual harassment. This article begins with background material on the extent of workplace romance, its origins, and its effects. The core of the article is in the sections that examine the embedding law and what a company can do to protect itself from the unpleasant consequences of workplace romances while maintaining a positive environment for all of its employees.

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