Printed Page 409

Workplace Romances

A second challenge to workplace relationships is the development of romantic feelings for coworkers. The workplace is a natural venue for romantic attraction to unfold, as many of the elements that foster attraction are present: a wide variety of attractive and available partners, large amounts of time spent together, physical proximity, and similarity in interests and attitudes (Appelbaum, Marinescu, Klenin, & Bytautas, 2007). Over 80 percent of North American employees have experienced a romantic relationship at work (Schaefer & Tudor, 2001), and 10 million new workplace romances are forged each year (Pierce & Aguinis, 2009), usually among peers.

Historically, companies have discouraged workplace romances, believing that they lead to favoritism, lack of worker motivation, decreased efficiency and productivity, and increased risk of sexual harassment lawsuits (Appelbaum et al., 2007). But many workplaces have begun to shift their views and policies, as research supports that romantic involvement does not hurt worker productivity (Boyd, 2010). From the worker perspective, workplace romance typically is viewed positively. Romantically involved workers are usually perceived by people in their organization as friendly and approachable (Hovick, Meyers, & Timmerman, 2003), and having romances in the workplace is seen as creating a positive work climate (Riach & Wilson, 2007). Relationship outcomes are often positive too: married couples who work in the same location have a50 percent lower divorce rate than those employed at different workplaces (Boyd, 2010).

Despite these positives, workplace romances face challenges. Involvement in a romance can create the perception among coworkers that the partners are more interested in each other than in their work, leading to rumors and gossip (Albrecht & Bach, 1997). As a consequence, you can’t cultivate a workplace romance without expecting the relationship to become a focus of workplace gossip.

The negative outcomes associated with workplace romances are more pronounced for women than for men. Women are more likely than men to suffer unfavorable work evaluations based on romantic involvement, are judged more negatively by their colleagues following workplace romance breakups, and are more likely to be terminated by their companies for workplace affairs (Riach & Wilson, 2007). When such relationships are mixed status—in particular, if a woman is under the direct supervision of a man—others in the organization often conclude that the woman used the relationship to enhance her career. In contrast, men in workplace romances often win their coworkers’ admiration (Dillard, 1987).

How can you successfully overcome the challenge of maintaining a workplace romance, should you become involved in one? First, leave your love at home, so to speak, and communicate with your partner in a strictly professional fashion during work hours. When romantic partners maintain a professional demeanor toward each other and communicate with all their coworkers in a consistent and positive fashion, the romance is usually ignored or even encouraged (Buzzanell, 1990).

Second, use e-mail, text, Facebook, and instant-messaging judiciously to maintain your relationship. When used properly, these technologies enable romantic partners to communicate frequently and in a way that maintains professional decorum (Hovick et al., 2003). However, electronic messages exchanged in the workplace should never contain overly intimate or controversial messages. Although many workers use their business accounts for personal reasons, it is wise to write messages that comply with official policies—no matter who the recipient is. Electronic messages are not secure. Anyone with the motivation and know-how can gain access to the messages you and your partner exchange. And, as noted earlier in the chapter, if the message was produced during work time, your company has a legal right to access it.