Workplace Relationships

Statistics

100

How many workers have admitted to having a crush on a colleague? 

70% 

200

1/4 of workers have experienced what "title" at the workplace?

having a work wife/work husband 

300

23% is the number corresponding to what amount of claim per year? 

Sexual Harassment 

Drawbacks

100

Name 2 drawbacks that workplaces face regarding romantic relationships. 

• Can distract employees

• Can polarize groups at work causing unproductive and ineffective work completion 

• Could potentially embarrass the company

• Being physically involved with someone at work can cause controversy over treatment deemed “unfair” by others

• Becomes a topic of gossip at work - targeted employees can feel humiliated and uncomfortable at work

• Results in increased absenteeism which affects the entire organization

200

Define retaliation violence. 

• When an employer or employee take negative action against an employee that can often be considered violent

300

What increased from 50% to 72% from 2005-2013?

Retaliation violence 

Causes

100

Define the proximity effect. 

There is a positive correlation between the amount of time spent together and the attraction between people.

200

What is a romantic relationship? 

A mutual, ongoing, interaction between two people that is characterized by expressions of intimacy and affection.

300

Name the 4 most common reasons workplace relationships develop; not including the proximity effect. 

1. Ease of opportunity 

2. Time 

3. Similarities

4. Desire for the "hookup"  

Scenarios!

100

Henry and Kimberley are employees at Deloitte. They accidentally bump into each other while grabbing their morning coffees in the breakroom. Over the weeks they started getting closer and closer. What should their first step be to proceed with their new relationship? 

Inform management 

200

Professor Claude is the HR manager at a regional software development company. Bonnie informs him that another coworker began to verbally abusing her, calling her slurs, and intentionally embarrassing her in front of her peers. What act is this and what should HR do next? 

Retaliation violence and HR should start investigating the case and review what policies are in place to terminate this behavior. 

300

Ashley was having sexual affairs with her boss, Johnathon. She shortly ended the affair due to worry about HR and productivity at work. Since Johnathon didn't want to end the relationship, he began to make "promises" to promote Ashley if she continued providing sexual favors. What is this called? 

Quid Pro Quo Harassment