- Download Culture Report•Workplace Culture in 2025 and What it Signals for 2026
Workplace romances are one of the most common situations where professional boundaries can blur—and where harassment risk can escalate quickly. While consensual relationships may begin with good intentions, they often introduce conflicts of interest, perceptions of favoritism, and power imbalances that affect not just the people involved, but everyone around them.
This video scenario explores how a past romantic relationship between a district manager and a store manager creates tension, discomfort, and risk after the relationship ends. It reinforces a core lesson from Emtrain’s Preventing Workplace Harassment course: even consensual relationships can lead to harassment and hostile work environments when boundaries are not respected—especially when power dynamics are involved.
There are a few recurring situations that tend to drive harassment claims, and workplace romance consistently tops the list. Many organizations prohibit romantic relationships within the same chain of command because of the inherent conflict of interest they create. When one person has authority over another—whether through performance reviews, scheduling, promotions, or job security—the power imbalance raises serious concerns about consent, pressure, and fairness.
Even when a relationship does not involve a direct reporting line, challenges remain if one person holds significantly more influence or seniority. When the relationship ends, questions often arise:
Beyond the individuals involved, workplace romances frequently spark concerns among coworkers about favoritism, unequal treatment, or special access. These perceptions can erode trust, damage morale, and undermine workplace culture.
In this video, a district manager and a store manager are reviewing quarterly store performance reports together. The conversation begins professionally. The district manager points out that the store is performing well compared to others in the district, reinforcing that the meeting is meant to be business-focused.
The dynamic shifts when the district manager suggests continuing the review over lunch. At first, the suggestion may seem harmless. However, it quickly becomes personal when he references the store manager’s food preferences and says, “Like old times.” This comment reveals their past romantic relationship and reintroduces a personal dynamic into a professional setting.
The store manager clearly declines the invitation and attempts to redirect the conversation back to work. She states plainly that the relationship is over and reminds him that he is now her district manager. Rather than respecting this boundary, the district manager pushes back, saying he can’t “act like he doesn’t know her” and continues to press for lunch or coffee.
As the conversation continues, the store manager becomes increasingly uncomfortable and direct. She asks him to stop asking her out altogether, explaining that it is awkward and unwanted. Despite this clear communication, the district manager minimizes her concerns, framing the meeting as routine and suggesting she needs to “get over” whatever she’s feeling.
The interaction ends with both parties visibly frustrated and disappointed, leaving unresolved tension that will likely carry forward into their working relationship.
This scenario highlights several red flags that commonly appear when workplace romances end:
Even if the relationship was consensual in the past, that does not justify continued personal advances after it ends. Once conduct becomes unwelcome, it can cross into harassment.
Workplace romances don’t exist in a vacuum. When boundaries break down, coworkers may feel uncomfortable, excluded, or uncertain about fairness. Gossip can spread, and even discussing or speculating about a relationship can itself become harassment.
Additionally, when managers fail to maintain professional distance after a relationship ends, it sends a troubling message about power, accountability, and respect—raising concerns not just for the people involved, but for the entire team.
This scenario reinforces best practices taught in Emtrain’s Preventing Workplace Harassment course:
Emtrain’s Preventing Workplace Harassment course emphasizes that harassment risk often arises in predictable situations—like workplace romance—when people fail to recognize how power, perception, and persistence interact.
This video teaches learners to:
Workplace romance is not just a personal matter—it’s a workplace culture issue. When boundaries are ignored and power dynamics are mishandled, even well-intentioned behavior can create discomfort, resentment, and legal risk.
By educating teams on how these situations escalate—and by equipping managers with the discipline to maintain professional boundaries—organizations can reduce conflict, protect trust, and create safer, more respectful workplaces. That’s the goal of Emtrain’s Preventing Workplace Harassment training: not just compliance, but understanding.
