Managing Office Romance: Is There a Policy for Mixing Business With Pleasure?

Office romances tend to be considered by management as off-limits or too hot to handle. Creating and implementing policies and guidelines around such personal matters may be tricky, but it’s necessary, insist experts, because poorly managed – or unmanaged – relationships can negatively affect a workplace and sap productivity. Favouritism, conflicts of interest and lack of trust are just a few of the problems likely to emerge. With many relationships beginning at work these days, it’s time for managers to tackle this sensitive issue seriously, but carefully.