Coldplay Cheating Scandal: Should Office Romance Be Banned?

It won’t look like a giant deal; simply two adults having enjoyable. However issues get difficult if you realise Andy is married to Megan Kerrigan Byron, with two kids. His dishonest companion, Kristen Cabot, can be married with children.

He later launched a public apology, however the harm had been achieved to his dwelling, his workplace, and his firm’s picture.

READ MORE: Office Romance: 10 professionals tell us about dating a co-worker

Workplace romance is a ticking time bomb

Individuals spend most of their waking hours at work. Until you’re employed remotely, you are round your colleagues greater than your pals. So it is solely pure that individuals typically catch emotions. 

However when these emotions flip into one thing extra, particularly between folks in positions of energy, it will get messy.

The issue with workplace romance

One main problem with workplace romance, particularly between bosses and subordinates, is the facility imbalance. When one individual has the authority to advertise, hearth, or consider the opposite, issues get difficult quick. Even when the connection is “consensual,” there’s all the time the query of:

• Favouritism: Will the companion get particular therapy?

• Bias: Will others within the crew really feel disregarded or unfairly judged?

• Accountability: If issues go flawed, who takes the autumn?

Then there’s the gossip. As an alternative of hitting deadlines, your colleagues are too busy whispering about your lunchtime PDA. 

And when breakups occur, which they typically do, it will possibly get very awkward, very quick. Think about sitting in a Monday assembly, compelled to make eye contact with the one that simply ghosted you, or worse, watching them flirt with another person within the subsequent cubicle. Awkward. 

Workplace relationships can go flawed, and the Coldplay dishonest clip is proof of simply how excessive the stakes may be.

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HR Views 

We spoke to Nigerian HR skilled, Ifeoma Isinguzo, who gave us some sincere perception.

In my expertise, workplace relationships can create pressure, particularly in the event that they’re between folks in unequal positions. HR can’t all the time step in except it violates firm coverage, however as soon as work begins struggling, somebody has to go,

she mentioned.

She additionally famous that some corporations utterly ban workplace romance, whereas others are extra versatile. “Individuals will all the time be attracted to one another. The actual query is the way it impacts the work,” she added.

Briefly, except there is a rule in opposition to it, HR might not intervene. However there are skilled and emotional penalties.

ALSO READ: 10 rules for having a fun workplace romance

What the legislation says and what it doesn’t

Is it even authorized thus far your coworker? Nicely…sure, technically.

In Nigeria, there’s no particular labour legislation that prohibits workplace relationships. The Labour Act does not point out romance in any respect. However corporations can implement their very own codes of conduct or ethics.

Some organisations require disclosure of relationships, particularly if there is a reporting line between the 2 folks. Others may ask one companion to switch to a different division, and even resign.

It solely turns into a authorized problem when:

• There’s sexual harassment

• The connection results in bias or discrimination

• A hostile work atmosphere is created

So principally, cheating on your spouse may trigger drama at dwelling, however it will not essentially get you fired, except your organization’s legal guidelines state in any other case.

SEE THIS: 5 ways to make your office romance work

What you threat with workplace love

Most workplace romances don’t finish properly. And once they crash, folks don’t simply lose lovers, they lose jobs, reputations, even friendships. Careers can stall if colleagues not see you as goal or skilled, gossip spreads, typically sooner than precise work, belief breaks down inside groups, marriages endure, as we’ve seen with Andy Byron.

And let’s not overlook the awkwardness of working side-by-side together with your ex every single day.

Ought to we ban workplace romance altogether?

Truthfully? In all probability not. People are human. Individuals will fall in love the place they spend essentially the most time, and typically, it really works out fantastically.

However corporations want clearer boundaries, and staff have to suppose twice. Disclosure needs to be a should. Transfers needs to be thought-about. And if the connection begins affecting crew dynamics or decision-making, somebody might have to maneuver on.

In case you should have interaction in an “entanglement” with a colleague, simply be sensible about it.

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