Office romance Definition

Office romances have long been a feature of the modern workplace, becoming more visible as work environments diversified throughout the 20th century. While relationships between colleagues were once considered private matters, evolving legal frameworks and workplace expectations—especially around sexual harassment and power dynamics—have brought increased attention to how these relationships impact organizations. Today, employers must thoughtfully navigate office romances to balance respect for employee privacy with the need for fairness, equity, and workplace harmony.

Examples of Office Romance

• Positive example: Two employees at the same organizational level develop a relationship, disclose it appropriately, and maintain professionalism at work without disrupting team cohesion.
• Problematic example: A manager begins dating a direct report, raising concerns about favoritism, perceived inequities, and potential conflicts of interest.
• Negative example: A relationship ends and the parties struggle to maintain professionalism, resulting in awkwardness, avoidance, and the manager unintentionally reducing the employee’s hours to avoid interaction.

Best Practices When a Romance Goes South

• Disclose relationships early
  If a relationship could impact work dynamics or create a conflict of interest—such as between a supervisor and a subordinate—it should be disclosed so HR can help mitigate risks.
• Maintain professional boundaries
  Both parties should ensure personal matters do not interfere with workplace responsibilities or relationships with colleagues.
• Avoid retaliation or unfair treatment
  Managers must take care not to let discomfort from a breakup affect work decisions, such as schedules, assignments, or opportunities.
• Leverage HR support
  HR can offer guidance to help navigate sensitive situations and ensure a fair, respectful resolution that minimizes workplace disruption.
• Reinforce training and policy awareness
  A clear workplace policy helps all employees understand expectations around office romance and fosters a respectful, compliant culture.

Resources Emtrain Provides

Blog: Office Romance: Addressing Potential Conflicts of Interest
Learn about why office romance policies matter and how it can affect workplace dynamics and relationships.

Course Video Preview: Romance in the Fall
A workplace romance ends, leading the manager to avoid scheduling the employee to sidestep confrontation. The employee confronts the manager, feeling it’s unfair that her hours have been reduced.

Looking for training that addresses romance in the workplace? Sign up today for a demo of our Preventing Harassment Course