Rocky path for office romances
HAVING worked as a labour lawyer for 35 years, I can testify to the fact that many office romances turn sour and lead to either dismissal or incredibly destructive working relationships.
Many of my clients, both small and big businesses, outlaw romantic relationships at work, specifically because of all sorts of problems that have arisen in the past.
Even if the relationship does not sour, others in the workplace accuse the couple of benefiting each other or colluding against other colleagues in the same departments.
Over and above this, workplace relationships tend to be a distraction not only to the couple but to others surrounding them. Unfortunately it is these negative cases which tend to get the limelight, and in turn make it difficult for those who are mature enough to have a relationship without it affecting their work.
However, when these relationships break down, we often find that all sorts of problems emerge.
Sometimes one ex-partner accuses the other of sexual harassment and alternatively breach of promise.
Vindictive behaviour causes enormous fallout amongst the staff, and becomes a nightmare for human resources to try and handle. I have been involved in numerous arbitrations and labour court cases which trace their cause right back to a romantic relationship.
Last, a sexual relationship outside the marriage has its own set of risks and negativity. It is difficult and invariably impossible to hide relationships such as these from your colleagues.