JPN-Journal.com News/Laws for Foreigners Working in Japan.

Office Love

by JPN-Journal.com editors
June 14, 2007

At some point in time, most employers have to deal with employees who date, fall in love, and probably break up, if not marry. Although it is difficult to prohibit workers from being attracted to other co-workers, there are ways to make sure that office love doesn't affect job performance. For one, all companies should have a policy on dating and relationships among co-workers in their employment handbooks, and make sure that employees know it.

"Office love is great! Don't prohibit it!" some may say. But from an employer's point of view, office love can affect productivity of the entire office. Even more serious is that office love may turn into sexual harassment suits against an employer.

However, no matter how strict the rules may be, workers will become attracted to co-workers. After all, where do people meet people? If they're not going to those match-making-drink-outs, they're meeting at work.

So, the least an employer can do is to have a written policy on office love in its employment handbook and let employees know that there are standards of behaviors they must follow. The policy should also mention that employers may take certain actions when an office love is found.