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03 November 2011 -
A relationship in the workplace can unleash a host of ripple effects that touch the lives of colleagues who may not even know the couple concerned. Here is our best-practice guide to good and bad methods for managing those effects.
1. Induction v seduction
In your training programme highlight that while the company does not wish to interfere, it expects private lives to be separate from the office.
2. Proper channels
Similarly, highlight the potential pitfalls of using work email, Bloomberg terminal and so forth as a means to conduct personal affairs.
3. Out in the open
Make sure your office has a culture of free communication, so if problems occur you are the first to hear about them.
1. Interfering before anything goes wrong
Only intervene if you need to, and in this case consider external mediation.
2. Taking sides
The law is designed to protect the person who is being harmed – by harassment and so forth – but you should remain impartial as you investigate the case, and keep the matter as confidential as possible.
3. Attempting to outlaw office relationships
They will happen, and strict regulations against them may only make them more tempting and explosive.
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