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January, 2012
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 Conduct Matters
They’re in love!
Advice on navigating romance in the workplace

Two of my colleagues have started dating. I am happy for them, but their personal relationship impacts the atmosphere in the lab. What are the rules about romantic relationships in the workplace?

The Code of Professional Conduct for Faculty provides specific guidelines about romantic relationships at work:

If a faculty member becomes involved in a romantic relationship with an individual who reports to her/him, s/he is expected to promptly disclose the relationship to her/his department director and institute director and to make an appropriate transfer of supervisory authority. If the department director is involved in a romantic relationship with an individual who reports to her/him, s/he must disclose to the Vice Dean for Faculty and, if applicable, to her/his institute director.

The bottom line: It is virtually impossible for one person to evaluate a person with whom he or she is intimately involved objectively. A couple should let senior leaders know about the relationship so that they can reassign the person in the subordinate position to another supervisor.

(Note: Romantic relationships between teachers and learners in which the teacher has authority over the learner’s academic progress are strictly prohibited under the School of Medicine Guidelines for Conduct in Teacher/Learner Relationships.)

Following professional conduct rules should eliminate concern about abuse of power and complaints about favoritism or a sexually charged workplace. Doing so should also reduce the potential for the sexual harassment claims that can surface if a consensual relationship between a faculty member and direct report sours, and the subordinate begins to feel manipulated.

When it comes to dating a colleague of equal rank, you should consider the following:

  • How might the relationship change the workplace dynamic between you and other colleagues?
  • How will it impact other members of the work group?
  • How would a possible break-up affect our personal interactions at work?

If you are convinced that you and a co-worker are about to embark on a life-long relationship—or you just want to give it a shot—take these steps to minimize the impact of your dating:

  • Agree not to discuss the relationship with others at work at any time, even if it ends.
  • Maintain professionalism by avoiding public displays of affection and steering clear of any comments or conversation that remind people that you are a couple.
  • Agree at the onset of your relationship to end it gracefully, should events come to that.

Each of these measures will help alleviate potential discomfort for your colleagues, and will also reduce the likelihood that you’ll be the “hot topic” at the water cooler.

The University has resources for those seeking help or guidance navigating a personal relationship at work. To speak with a counselor confidentially, contact the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FASAP) at 443-287-7000 or 443-997-7000, or http://www.jhu.edu/hr/fasap/appointment.html.

If you feel that you are being coerced into a romantic relationship, or you are uncomfortable about a romantic relationship within your work group, contact JHU’s Office of Institutional Equity at: 410-516-8075. (http://ww.jhu.edu/oie)

 
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