Romantic Relationships at Work - Assignment Example

Romantic Relationships at Work Claim Romance at the workplace is on the rise affecting negatively both personal and organizational well-being. Explanation of the Claim A workplace romance is defined as the relationship between two people in the same organization or company that entails mutual sexual attraction that is recognized, and consensually and independently acted on, by both partakers in some type of intimate behavior like dating. A workplace romance, whether merely suspected or known about by others, can affect their work behavior and therefore, its effects happen not at the individual level only but also at the level of the organization (Karsten 83). It is worth stating that married couples are not included in the description of workplace romantic relationships. Married couples are able to work together either as co-workers in a company or in a business which is family-owned. However, in comparison to those in a romance relationship that has a beginning and is played out in the workstation, married couples are not seen as exclusively in a similar way by either the organization or co-workers (Karsten 84). Reasons for the Claim 1. Relationships between co-workers at times culminate in nasty break-ups, with a volatile workplace environment resulting. For instance, the snubbed partner may sue the employer for claims of sexual harassment, claiming that he/she was coerced into an undesired relationship. Furthermore, relationships between a subordinate and superior may lead into undue favoritism towards the subordinate. It is worth stating that other employees may identify that they do even if they do not show any signs of favoritism. This situation creates a work environment that is similar to a ticking time bomb that is about to blow (Bland 1). 2. Productivity is regularly seen as being hurt by romantic relationships. However, it remains elusive whether the impact is negative or positive. In several case studies, romantic relationships lead in decreases in productivity, and this is attributed to the fact that, during the relationship, the participants are cognitively diverted, and are therefore, more susceptible to mistakes and errors, are most likely to miss meetings, and are more regularly late (Hellgren, Naswall and Sverke 197). Current research on sexual harassment in countries such as North America indicates that team performance is affected negatively when a team member is sexually harassed (Hellgren, Naswall and Sverke 198). 3. Research on the consequences of workplace romance on the co-workers tends to indicate negative effects. If the workplace romance is viewed as exploitive, hierarchical, due to motives that are related to job, it can minimize the productivity and morale of co-workers who may be afraid of the resulting unfairness in career and task rewards. This also results into increased gossip among the co-workers. Gossip is defined as communication concerning someone, instead of communicating directly with the person. Although gossip can be nonthreatening, it can be a manifestation of co-worker anxieties involving a workplace romance and a determination to create alliances against the partners involved (Karsten 89). 4. Sexual harassment has been found to evolve after a work place romance goes sour. Many concerns have been raised concerning the possible consequences of sexual harassment. Romantic relationships in the workplace may expose the organization to potential sexual harassment charges. This according to the society of Human Resource management has been of a serious concern since 24of sexual harassment charges, have been found to emanate from romantic relationships. For instance, if a relationship ‘goes sour’, it is highly that a woman may file sexual harassment charges against the man. Another instance is that the ended relationship may nurture sexually harassing behaviors against each other. This poses a negative impact to the organization since the any one of the two partners may feel intimidated at work affecting their performances (Hellgren, Naswall and Sverke 199). Reasons against the Claim I. Employee morale is an area that is potentially affected by romance in the workplace. Studies done in Mainiero in which women were surveyed, 34 percent of them suggested that office romance has a positive effect on morale and that it was also energizing. It is important to note that situational differences influence office romance either positively or negatively. For instance, it is likely that co-worker jealousy can influence how they respond to the growth of the relationship (Hellgren, Naswall and Sverke 198). II. Teamwork can be influenced by workplace relationships. Several studies have reported positive impacts of romance on the team. For instance, it has been reported that romantic relationships in the workplace have reduced tension and improved communication. Productivity is only increased if the romantic relationship does not lead to perception of favoritism or favoritism itself (Hellgren, Naswall and Sverke 198). III. Some studies indicate that workplace relationships do not lead in decrements in work performance and in most of the cases it is linked with improvement. In fact, participation in romantic relationships has been positively associated with one’s own job involvement, satisfaction with form of work, and work motivation. In one of the studies, motives for involvement in workplace romance influenced work performance. In such a case, women who got involved in workplace performance because of love were more likely to improve their job involvement and work performance (Karsten 89). IV. Even though there are negative impacts caused by work place romantic relationships, there are also some positive aspects that come with it. In the case of productivity, some of these relationships do foster it significantly. For instance, in a study done, it was found that the qualitative and quantitative productivity of couples in a work place romance increased. It is therefore evident that any effects of the work place romances in productivity are situationally dependent. It calls for a research to uncover the situational factors that moderate the link between romantic relationships at work and productivity (Hellgren, Naswall and Sverke 198). Decision The ultimate consequence for any illegal romantic relationship in the workplace is usually negative. There is little or none evidence for positive effects of romantic relationships at workplace. Romantic relationships affect both the individual and the organization negatively. It has been attributed to lower productivity, decreased morale, gossip, and even hostility among the co-workers to the said couples. For instance, favoritism is one of the key features of these types of relationships in the workplace. Co-workers may perceive the couples as showing favoritism towards certain such as (rewards and promotions) in the workplace. The resultant effect is most likely the creation of alliances against the concerned couples. Such alliances disrupt harmony and some of the processes in the organization leading to negative effects. Rebuttals I. Only a small percentage of women interviewed in the research indicated a positive impact of romantic relationships in the workplace. These relationships do not energize instead, they make workers spend more time on dealing with them. This diverts their attention from what is supposed to be done at work. II. Instead of creating a strong bond among workers, illegal romantic relationships in the workplace tend to create a rift between the couples involved and the rest of the workers. They increase tension and minimize communication in the whole team. This is particularly true if there is some favoritism or perception of favoritism in the said romantic relationship. III. Workplace romantic relationships influence work performance negatively. These relationships often result in the claims of sexual harassment. Such incidences may affect negatively one’s job involvement, contentment with work and work motivation. Apart from sexual harassments, nasty breakups are a common occurrence, and this may force the concerned parties to seek alternatives which affect both the individual and the organization. IV. Productivity is not increased when there are romantic relationships in the workplace. This is because individuals are pre-occupied with the current events in the organizations. These events (the relationships) may result in gossip, creation of alliances and even hostility among the workers in the organization. This ultimately affects productivity in a negative way. Works Cited Bland, T. S. Romance in the Workplace: Good Thing or Bad? Washington Business Journal, 23 Oct. 2000. Web. 7 April 2013. Hellgren, J., Naswall, K., & Sverke, M. The Individual in the Changing Working Life. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2008. Print. Karsten, M. F. Gender, Race, and Ethnicity in the Workplace. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2006. Print. Read More