Romance at work has become more common in recent years, but some relationships do have unintended consequences. Harry Stonecipher, Boeing Company s former president and CEO, lost his job when the board of directors learned (from an anonymous message) about his consensual extramarital affair with a female executive. Consensual romances at work are not unlawful and are tolerated far more today than they were in the past. So why did Stonecipher lose his job? Boeing s code of conduct prohibits behavior that may embarrass the company.

Today, men and women often work alongside each other in almost equal numbers, sharing long hours and job pressures. Although romance at work is more acceptable today, it is still viewed as a major productivity disrupter by many consultants, human-resource professionals, and executives. The president of a consulting business tells of a female employee in her office who broke off a relationship with a fellow worker. The spurned man began stalking the woman, who discussed her fears and anger openly with other employees. They, in turn, spent time on the job trying to advise and comfort her. Other critics of romance at work say companies should be concerned when relationships create conflicts of interest and lower job performance. The use of pet names, kissing, and hand- holding can be distracting to other workers.

Although critics of romance at work make some valid points, the truth is corporate America is getting more comfortable with love in the workplace. In fact, 67 percent of the respondents to a 2003 survey on romance at work by the American Management Association said they approved of dating by coworkers. Dennis Powers, author of The Office Romance, feels that companies need to lighten up in their attitudes about romance at work. He says that most of these romances have no detrimental effect on the workplace or on workers. However, he does feel that supervisors need to know how to ease conflict when a failed romance invades the workplace. 61

QUESTIONS

1.Is an office romance likely to affect the productivity of the two workers involved? Is it likely to affect the people who work with them?

2.Should organizations establish policies that prevent dating a coworker? A supervisor? Explain your answer.

3.Can you think of a situation where employment of married couples would create problems for a firm? Explain your answer.