Dating relationship in the workplace

In such situations, a supervisor employee could be fired for violating an employer's policy against dating subordinates because the employer's interest in avoiding conflicts of interest in the workplace may outweigh the supervisor employee's right to privacy concerning the romantic relationship with the subordinate employee.As a California employee, you cannot be fired solely because you are dating a co-worker.They may fail to consider the potential conflict of interest and the distractions the relationship will bring forward.Even if workplace relationships are inevitable, they shouldn't take place between boss and subordinate, among coworkers who work directly together, or between an employee and a vendor.State and federal anti-harassment laws require employers to take all reasonable actions to prevent unlawful harassment in the workplace.Sexual harassment can come in various forms,including visual (such as cartoons and pornography), verbal (lewd jokes and unwanted advances, for example) and physical (groping).The potential for conflicts of interest in these relationships is just too great.

Times are changing, and as companies reach out to hire recent college graduates, employers should be aware of the potential risks.Instead of "anti-fraternization" or "no-dating" policies, policies that prohibit sexual harassment and discrimination -- and encourage employees to come forward with complaints -- are encouraged.This way, if an office romance does lead to harassment, the employer will have notice of the problem and be able to take action.Some companies also require employees to enter into a written disclosure of their relationship, commonly referred to as a "love contract." This is a document that employees must sign to confirm that their relationship is consensual, and to agree not to engage in certain behaviors, like public displays of affection or workplace retaliation when a relationship ends.The average California employee spends more than forty hours a week working, which leaves little time to meet new people and develop a love interest.