Desks To Dates: Managing Romance At Work

Romantic relationships at work are a tale as old as time and something of an inevitability given the proximity that colleagues share day in, day out. With Valentine's Day right around the corner, workplace romances are unlikely to go away anytime soon and so it is important that employers take the appropriate steps to mitigate any risks that could arise.

Romantic relationships between employees is a topic that stirs up a lot of emotions. On the one hand, they are a natural part of professional life – we spend many hours at work, which helps build closer relationships. On the other hand, such situations can be a challenge for employers, especially if there is a conflict of interest, allegations of favouritism or accusations of being ganged up on (known as 'mobbing') where the relationship ends.