<p>It is starting to appear probable that my young male trainee is hitting it off with the nice young female trainee working with another senior person. They are both single and of legal age and are at the same level in the company, etc. Giving the body language and who is visiting whom in their cubes it appears mutual.
Now my boss who is all uptight about such activities due to the fear of lawsuits thinks we need to “nip it in the bud”. I would rather not get involved as I think it’s pretty normal these days. </p>
<p>Not a lawyer, but office romance has been around forever. I see nothing wrong with it from a legal persective (in fact, perhaps the act of “nipping it in the bud” may be construed to be an illegal invasion of privacy???). There may be some negative emotional effects if/when the “romance” turns to hate/hurt.</p>
<p>Isn’t there an official fraternization policy in your company that applies to two employees dating each other?</p>
<p>I was under the impression that in most companies, employees dating or even living together is not a problem unless one is the other’s supervisor – which doesn’t seem to be the case here.</p>
<p>Being married and all I don’t think I paid much attention to that policy. I’ll have to find my booklet. Mostly they worry about business practices and such. Had to watch a video on that.</p>
<p>Only a problem if one reports to the other. Also can be a problem when they break up! Very common to meet romantic partners in the workplace. The boss should just be glad they are both single.</p>
<p>My quitck reaction is that your boss is may well be jealous, which is not a good thing for the future of the male trainee (assuming your boss is male…if not, just reverse the sex.)</p>
<p>I’d steer clear of the topic, and situation. If you needed legal advice, I’m sure some is available for free here. My guess is that there is no harassment potential relating to relationships between trainees. One wonders if having a supervisor interfere with a relationship constitutes some kind of workplace tort.</p>
<p>That led to some VERY interesting scheduling conflicts. Unless the company policy expressly forbids dating, however, I don’t see how there’s a legal issue.</p>
<p>I would tend to agree to leave it alone and not get involved and if you take that course you/your company had best strictly adhere to that and not acknowledge this little “romance” in any fashion whatsoever. </p>
<p>If any thing does go wrong and you/your company have acknowledged this in any way (or knowledge can be imputed to you/your company somehow) the lawsuits may well be headin’ your way-negligent hiring, negligent supervision etc.</p>
<p>It’s worth at least keeping an eye out for any potential harrassment since the company and management are potentially liable if there is any. They also need to make sure they focus more on their work than each other while at the office. Other than that, office romance is not unusual. They may learn the hard way though that having to work together after breaking up can be a bit uncomfortable.</p>
<p>mini and MOWC…obviously personal health crisis increases one’s humour libido…</p>
<p>barrons, call them into your office one by one for a taped interview on the nature and depth of their physical relationship. This strategy works well for your children too. Don’t listen to those who say that no one likes to discuss their sex life with authority figures. That’s just a myth!</p>
<p>ps If you videotape the session, you could sell it to reality TV someday int he future.</p>
I still think that the relationship between peers at work is no one’s business unless it affect their work performance, or is a distraction to others. As long as they’re not “making out” in the break room, I would think that the interference of a supervisor would be more problematic.</p>
<p>Actually, I do like MOWC’s suggestion. Videotape an interrogation, and show it at the next kick-off meeting, or other social event.</p>
<p>I’d tell your trainee to be professional at work at all times. What they do outside of work is their business. If you start to find he’s not doing his work, completing assignments on time, or whatever his work entails, then I would sit him down and tell him the office romance is affecting his work. Otherwise, I’d stay out of it.</p>