When employees disclose their relationship, HR managers are willing to ensure job security
Rajshri and Sriram worked in the same team, and were on an evening status concall where a number of colleagues across teams were logged in from various locations. After the call ended, the team leader candidly asked Sriram about the couple’s evening plans, assuming the team logged off. Unfortunately, none of them did.
“It was tough for Sriram to face anyone for the next few weeks,” Rajshri fondly recollects. The top bosses as well as the colleagues did tease the couple but dating a colleague was neither discouraged nor disapproved in the organisation. Their team leader played a huge role in ensuring that there would be no discord either. “When Sriram was promoted, ideally, I was supposed to report to him, but my super boss took over as my reporting head to ensure that there would be no case for favourtism,” she said. They later married and now work for different organisations.
Many HR experts believe ‘no dating in the office’ is an outdated concept. “There is no necessity for a blanket ban on dating within the office, especially if the employees are not working in the same team or are from different departments; there is no need for company to come into that,” explains Shiv Agrawal, the MD of ABC Consultants.
Office romances can turn troublesome when extensive gossiping and troublemakers spread rumours, stressing the couples. Not only do they carry the strain of the work, any trouble of their personal relationships also seeps into workplace. HR managers however say that a few couples can juggle both roles and are doing so efficiently.
“One of our employees was upfront about disclosing her relationship with a colleague. Though we had no policy in place, their communication with the supervisors left no space for rumour. They kept their promiseof not letting their relationship affect their work,” said Zubin Zack, director and chief recognition strategist, OC Tanner India.
Companies are also aware that they are incapable of preventing unofficial affairs of employees. They are unwilling to scrutinize the lives of employees outside office hours and do not even attempt it. “By not having restrictions, it allows companies to retain good employees who are focused on work, and who do not let their personal relationships affect it,” said Zack.
Yet, not all cases of office fliings are to be ignored completely. one of the couple of partiality.
“The only caveat against dating is when two people with a direct working relationship are dating. If one of them can influence the other’s professional success, then bias might creep in leading to discomfort amongst other team members,” said Agrawal.
When employees are open enough to disclose their relationship, HR managers are willing to go the extra mile to ensure that their employment is not affected. The common remedy is to shift one of the couple to a different department, where it is possible.
“We have to be cautious about it, even when they are no policies governing it. Each situation can be evaluated on a case-to-case basis and decisions can be taken accordingly,” says Zack.
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