Tips on How to Handle Employee Office Romances - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Tips on How to Handle Employee Office Romances - Introvert Whisperer Tips on How to Handle Employee Office Romances Office romances are becoming more common in the workplace. As colleagues spend more time together, work relationships can often develop into personal relationships. While this may create a more relaxed working environment, it can also be challenging for employers to manage. Office romances can have a large effect on the culture and stability of a workplace, especially after relationships end. By working together and following best practices, employers and employees can more easily manage the risks of an office romance. How Office Romances Can Impact the Workplace When left unmanaged, office romances can lead to many problems in the workplace. If a member of the couple has a higher position, for example, they may be accused of unfairly favouring their partner. After a relationship ends it can also add stress to the working environment for both the couple and others they work with. Sexual harassment claims are another concern for companies. While a strict policy against relationships can solve some of these problems, it can also lead to office romances being pursued in secret, which can have much worse outcomes. Employee Relationships Building relationships at work is natural, but how you’re allowed to act on these relationships can depend on your company’s policy. Some companies will see an office romance as outside of their business, while others will allow them but have specific rules in place. A common rule for employees is that relationships with each other need to be reported to management. Other rules can reinforce the importance of non-disclosure agreements. Confidential information about work should not be disclosed between partners in an office romance if they don’t have the same authority level. In short, colleagues that are in an office romance need to prioritise their responsibilities as employees first before their relationship. Tips for Employees Do Follow your workplace’s policy on correct conduct Let your employer or manager know if you’re in an office romance Be prepared for the possibility of a breakup and its consequences Keep your relationship separate when at work Don’t Kiss or touch in the workplace or during work events Discuss your relationship at work Treat your partner differently to other colleagues Allow the relationship to impact your work quality Engage in actions which could be interpreted as sexual harassment Managing Office Romances Building professional, friendly relationships can be a good thing for a business and allow employees to communicate openly. While personal relationships between employees aren’t illegal, employers can place limits on these relationships while at work. Some companies enact a zero-tolerance policy, where an employee is expected to move areas or resign if found to be in a relationship with one of their colleagues. However, this often won’t stop a relationship from being pursued in secret. If an employee is forced to resign because of such a policy, they can also potentially claim it as unfair dismissal. The best approach that employers can take is to reinforce the need for maturity and transparency regarding workplace relationships, neither banning them completely nor encouraging inappropriate behaviour. Being aware of office romances is much safer for a business and its employees, allowing employers to appropriately manage any issues as they arise. Tips for Employers Do Require employees to disclose if they are in a relationship with each other Create a professional conduct policy which protects against sexual harassment Talk with those in a relationship to set up appropriate rules Manage the wider perception of any relationship in the workplace Don’t Create an unnecessarily strict policy on office conduct Allow behaviour which could be misconstrued as sexual harassment Unfairly dismiss employees who breach rules Force relationships to be hidden While office romances can present a challenge for employers, research suggests that the majority of inter-office relationships do not last. This means that employers and managers should seek to remain transparent and accommodating towards employees, while preparing to control any adverse outcomes of a breakup. With the right policies and preparation in place, employers and employees can navigate the world of office romances in a successful and professional manner. Author’s Bio: This article was written by Daniel Defendi, who recommends Perth City Legal for support with sexual harassment claims. Catch Daniel on Google+ to discuss this piece. Go to top Power-Influence-Office Politics: it comes down to your Strategic Relationships and understanding of how you build each one of these elements. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that outlines all of this and meaningful actions you can take today!  Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Internship vs. Co-op Know the Difference Between These Two Programs

Internship vs. Co-op Know the Difference Between These Two Programs In most career fields, a strong college GPA is only one aspect of nabbing an entry-level job. Employers are more likely to interviewand ultimately hirejob candidates with relevant work experience. There are two main ways students can gain job experience while in college: through either internships or cooperative education programs, also known as co-ops. While both are similar programs with the same end goal, its important to know the difference between an internship and a co-op. What is an internship? Colleges and universities often strongly encourage students to complete an internship. Internships can be paid or unpaid, and they typically last the duration of one semester. Students are tasked with completing any outside coursework and personal commitments while logging the required number of internship hours. Internship duties vary widely by company and field. You might be asked to complete entry-level tasks, for instance. While these might not always be particularly exciting, its important to remain open to the tasks presented in an effort to show your flexibility and willingness to expand your skill set. [RELATED: Why You Should Pursue an Internship in College] What is a co-op? A variety of schools offer co-op programs. While participating in a co-op, students may stop taking classes in order to work full-time. Co-ops are usually paid, and often require students to work full-time for several months. Sometimes, a students co-op experience is divided into two-to-three scheduled work periods throughout the school year or throughout multiple years. Co-ops allow students to gain a good deal of work experience prior to completion of their degree. Is a co-op or internship right for you? The benefits Completing an internship or a co-op adds experience to students resumes, and can help them land a future job by providing a plethora of networking opportunities. Whats more, these programs can show you what you like and dont like about a given career. You may begin a program in a field you thought you were interested in, only to realize that its not the right fit for you. The time and money investment Its key to examine your time in order to decide which program is best for you. Internships typically last the length of a semester, but theres a chance they will be unpaid. Co-ops, however, can last a bit longer, may require you to stop taking classes, and are generally paid. When considering whether to pursue an internship or co-op, you should review your financial needs. If the promise of a steady paycheck alleviates a lot of your stress when it comes to paying for college, you might want to choose a co-op. If money is not a major consideration and youd rather finish your college career in a shorter time frame, an internship might be for you. How each program will affect your university experience Working as part of a co-op is a very different type of college experience compared to attending classes full-time or doing an internship part-time. During your co-op semesters, youre likely to spend less time on campus with your classmates, professors, and friends. While some students get used to moving between their workplace and college, others might feel uncomfortable. Its important to think about how you might feel having your time split like this, and whether or not youd enjoy this kind of college experience. [RELATED: How to Get Real-World Experience in Your College Major] Both internships and co-ops offer a unique opportunity for you to expand your skill set, network with professionals in your field, and set yourself up for post-graduate success. Its key to examine the pros and cons of each option, and to deduce which is the right fit for you and your ultimate career goals. [RELATED: 4 Tactics for Landing Your Dream Job] Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.