As an employer, you want to carefully consider your policy on office dating. Some companies decide that they are going to prohibit it entirely. Most businesses allow it, however, although employees may be asked to disclose these relationships to HR.
But why would human resources be interested if two people are dating? How can this protect you as an employer?
Avoiding sexual harassment allegations
The benefit of having employees disclose their relationships is that everything is out in the open. It is clear that this is a consensual relationship and that neither person is being manipulated or coerced into it. This can help to avoid future allegations of sexual harassment.
Additionally, it allows you to monitor the relationship to see if there are any red flags. For example, even if you allow employees to date one another, you may have provisions against supervisors dating the employees they directly oversee. After all, such a situation could lead to quid pro quo sexual harassment, where someone is manipulated into a relationship in exchange for promotions, raises and other preferential treatment.
There are certainly ways to address sexual harassment allegations if they happen. But having this type of dating disclosure policy with HR may help you get out ahead of these allegations and prevent them from happening in the first place.
Addressing legal issues
As you can see, it is important for you to plan in advance as an employer, setting up policies to protect employees and help things go smoothly. You also need to know what steps to take if a dispute does arise in the future.
