As the PA Life reader survey last year showed, many of you have had, and get away with, office romances. But how does HR feel about it?
According to new research undertaken by recruitment specialist OfficeTeam, the office may no longer be off-limits for meeting potential partners, with 97% of HR directors surveyed either always or sometimes allowing office romances in the workplace. Only 4% ban it from taking place in the office.
The survey queried 200 HR directors across small, medium and large businesses and highlights workplace disruption (42%) and other employees? discomfort (34%) as major objections when it comes to workplace romances.
Despite these concerns, more than one in three (37%) employees have admitted to having had a work relationship in the past. In fact, out of the 1,000 employees questioned in a separate OfficeTeam survey, nearly three in four (73%) believe romances should be allowed in the workplace.
Workers aged 35-44 are the most inclined to have had an ?Offair?, according to the survey, with more than four in 10 (44%) admitting to having had a relationship. In comparison, only 22% of young adults (18-24) have had a ?water cooler? romance.
Office breakups can be tough and is a situation that all concerned want to avoid ? particularly the quarter (25%) of HR directors who are concerned over this possibility and the effect it could have on the rest of the office. The external perception concerned one in ten (10%) HR directors with only a fifth (19%) having ?no concerns? over office romances.
Phil Booth, Director, OfficeTeam said: ?As colleagues spend increasingly longer hours working side-by-side, it isn?t surprising that workplace romances may occur, particularly as many employees have met their future wife or husband in the office.
“However, there are many real issues that employees and senior managers need to acknowledge when considering situations of this nature. HR departments should stay informed about potential legal ramifications but most importantly maintain open lines of communication with line managers and employees to help address any issues as they arise.?
The survey queried 200 HR directors across small, medium and large businesses and highlights workplace disruption (42%) and other employees? discomfort (34%) as major objections when it comes to workplace romances.
Despite these concerns, more than one in three (37%) employees have admitted to having had a work relationship in the past. In fact, out of the 1,000 employees questioned in a separate OfficeTeam survey, nearly three in four (73%) believe romances should be allowed in the workplace.
Workers aged 35-44 are the most inclined to have had an ?Offair?, according to the survey, with more than four in 10 (44%) admitting to having had a relationship. In comparison, only 22% of young adults (18-24) have had a ?water cooler? romance.
Office breakups can be tough and is a situation that all concerned want to avoid ? particularly the quarter (25%) of HR directors who are concerned over this possibility and the effect it could have on the rest of the office. The external perception concerned one in ten (10%) HR directors with only a fifth (19%) having ?no concerns? over office romances.
Phil Booth, Director, OfficeTeam said: ?As colleagues spend increasingly longer hours working side-by-side, it isn?t surprising that workplace romances may occur, particularly as many employees have met their future wife or husband in the office.
“However, there are many real issues that employees and senior managers need to acknowledge when considering situations of this nature. HR departments should stay informed about potential legal ramifications but most importantly maintain open lines of communication with line managers and employees to help address any issues as they arise.?
