Okay, so Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, which means it’s time to talk about such things like
This year’s romance research comes from Workplace Options, which finds one in four of us have been in a relationship with a coworker. Nearly nine out of 10 (88%) say PDA is not okay, with 57% going so far as to say public displays of affection should be banned.
That segment clearly does not include young adults, who are much less likely to keep a workplace romance private, and also five times more likely to post their romance status on Facebook. Sheesh … kids today.
Half (51%) of younger workers aged 18-29 see a workplace romance as having positive effects, with the top positive effect being achievement of higher social or professional status at work. Older Americans disagree, with 79% arguing there are no positive effects from entering into a workplace relationship. If there was a positive effect, older workers say that it would be a – ahem – healthier work-life balance. Is that what people are calling it these days?
For all the stats and such, I just have one question: In the big scheme of things, does it really matter if two employees date? I know all you pros who have had to deal with a workplace harassment claim will answer with a loud and definite, “YES!”
But for everyone else, is it that big of a deal? I’m all for having appropriate policies in place to make sure the lovebirds and their coworkers have to work in a culture of responsibility and accountability (
But perhaps not. Let me know what you think.
