Workplace Romances: Should Individuals Engage in Them or Should Individuals Try to Avoid Them?

Authors

  • Sydney Dechamplain

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29173/cjfy29617

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to explore workplace relationships and conclude whether individuals should engage in workplace romances (WRs) or whether individuals should try and avoid them. Since individuals spend so much time at the workplace, the likelihood of individuals engaging in a WR is high. Nowadays, there are not many jobs that put restrictions on whether or not you can date or have a relationship with someone you work with, however, is this a problem? Should there be restrictions in place regarding dating coworkers or bosses for example? The findings suggest that even though there are some benefits to WRs, the majority of results show that WRs are dangerous as they can cause group dysfunctions, make other workers uncomfortable, affect team performance, ruin professional relationships, result in sexual harassment claims, and so much more. This paper is going to examine the effects of WRs at different hierarchical levels and whether favoritism or a conflict of interest is present. It is going to examine the effect of WRs on job productivity, morale, and privacy, as well as explore the effects WRs have on other coworkers and what happens when WRs end. Lastly, this paper will explore the question: should management step in when it comes to WRs?

 

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Published

2021-05-02