It’s a line I picked up from the movie, “It’s Complicated”. Having affairs is of course complicated, whether it is with your ex-husband or otherwise.
You've heard it before: The workplace is a hotbed of extramarital affairs. Why is it so? Is it because more women are in the work place? Or the long working hours spent with our colleagues on a project? Or the cologne we wear at work?
Last week, I met up with my ex-colleague.
Hey, do you know that both William and Henry had divorced their wives of less than five years of marriage? And guess what, William married his new subordinate that joined a year ago and Henry married one of the company’s suppliers. William was having the affair for more than a year before his wife found out. Worse still, everyone in the office knew about it as it happened right under their nose.
How to prevent affairs in the office? Nina Chen has some suggestions.
Should employers care?
Can we? Our HR policy does not say it’s illegal for two married employees to have a relationship. It’s a personal matter, anyway.
Think again. It won’t be that personal anymore if things go awry and the drama twisted into sexual harassment. Or putting other employees at risk when one of the spouses that were being cheated storm into the office in a rage?
Related reading:
Office Romance - Bliss or Stress
It's very true. Long working hours, i think.
ReplyDeleteI suspect my boss is having something going on with the Marketing Manager. Everyone in the office is guessing... LOLLL
So, shall we cut down on the working hours? Ah...it's a tricky situation after all. I think it all boils down to the individuals - it's best to set some boundaries. I suppose a warning sign is when you start sharing your problems and joys with a colleague more than your own spouse. The emotional bond is more dangerous than a "one night stand", I suppose.
ReplyDeleteWe can't blame the parties involved as they spent more than together in the office like 8 - 10 hours a day. By the time they reached home, they are dead tired to even speak to their other half. Of course, if there is a HR policy to prevent office affairs, we may hear less cases. Btw, I'm against office affairs.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amy for your input. As for HR Policy to prevent office affairs, I've yet to hear one. But like I said, if not careful, this can lead to sexual harassment. And I think employers need to put in place some guidelines/policies pertaining to sexual harassment. Ah...I don't envy the employers.
ReplyDelete