Business Ethics and Employee Behavior

Paper Summary:

In this essay the writer discusses that many companies have rules requiring that employees do not date or marry fellow employees. The writer explains that companies have a variety of reasons for this. The writer then points out that some companies believe that when employees date each other, it distracts one or both from the work they should be doing, resulting in lowered work efficiency. There is some concern that dating or attempts to date another coworker can contribute to sexual harassment complaints, and it raises concerns about favoritism, particularly if one of the dating couple has authority over others. However, the writer maintains that a business' concern should be with its bottom line, not managing people's private lives. The writer concludes that a business has a responsibility to keep running as smoothly as possible and such rules can contribute to maintaining an atmosphere that encourages productivity.

Outline:
Introduction
Reasons for the Rules
Ethics of Workplace Romance Rules
Bibliography

From the Paper:

"For instance, a romance where the two people hold different positions in the company's hierarchy may reflect badly on the person in the higher position. The person in the lesser position may wonder if his or her advancement is based on personal competency or on the special relationship with a more powerful person. Others may wonder the same thing. If the general culture of the company looks down on office romances, the two people may find that they receive negative feedback from others."
"Business managers look at the issue of office romances and see a variety of potential problems. The existence of the romance could make difficulties for the two within the workplace as they connect with the larger organization. Suspicion by others of favoritism in all sorts of ways, including allocation of resources, may be common. It may negatively affect cooperation among other workers, and raises the question of whether everyone is being treated fairly."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Paul, Robert J. and James B. Townsend.1998. Managing the Workplace Romance: Protecting Employee and Employer Rights. Review of Business 19.
• Schultz, Vicki. 2003. The Sanitized Workplace. Yale Law Journal 112.
• Wilson, Rebecca J.; Filosa, Christine; and Fennel, Alex. 2003. Romantic Relationships at Work: Does Privacy Trump the Dating Police? Defense Counsel Journal 70:78-88.

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