Relationships In The Classroom Not Always The Wisest
Ashley Neff
Issue date: 3/24/09 Section: News
When chatting next to the water cooler turns into an every day routine and feelings start to flourish, these secret relationships may have a downfall.
As a result of spending so much time together in an office, a good working relationship between co-workers may evolve into a full blown romance. Inner-office relationships can be a dream come true or an impending nightmare.
In February of 2008, the Buffalo News' Sharon Linstedt reported that 53 percent of respondents to their office relationship survey said their companies had no policies on employee relationships. One-third said they didn't know what their companies' dating guidelines were. Many companies have dating regulations due to legality matters.
"The reason an office relationship is considered risky is that it has legal consequences for the company. There are often employee guidelines forbidding secret office relationships," says Puhn.
The grounds behind forbidding work relationships are due to sexual harassment claims. Companies do not want to get sued for sexual harassment by one of their workers, therefore constructing office romance contracts.
If an employee gets involved with a co-worker, and feelings get drawn in, things can get sticky. The relationship may be peachy until they have an argument outside of work, and then have to see each other the following day. The same pertains to college students. Puhn continues, "… there is also the possibility that they break up and continue to have to work on a project together, which could be awkward."
However, there is hope for the classroom/cubicle romantic. Behavioral Science major, Kelleyann Royce, met her husband through working at a school. As it turns out, their place of work was in fact, a classroom, making their relationship even more special.
"I think relationships in the college classroom and at work can work out - it's a lot of time spent together which is nice but if not handled properly, can be a downfall."
This ongoing debate on whether office and classroom relationships are logical may never cease. Some may not let their superior influence their personal lives while others will follow the policies. Classrooms do not have any type of legality preventing students from dating, another reason why so many co-eds find themselves dating someone in one of their classes.
Royce added, "Here's to all the lovers on campus - make it work for you!"
As a result of spending so much time together in an office, a good working relationship between co-workers may evolve into a full blown romance. Inner-office relationships can be a dream come true or an impending nightmare.
In February of 2008, the Buffalo News' Sharon Linstedt reported that 53 percent of respondents to their office relationship survey said their companies had no policies on employee relationships. One-third said they didn't know what their companies' dating guidelines were. Many companies have dating regulations due to legality matters.
"The reason an office relationship is considered risky is that it has legal consequences for the company. There are often employee guidelines forbidding secret office relationships," says Puhn.
The grounds behind forbidding work relationships are due to sexual harassment claims. Companies do not want to get sued for sexual harassment by one of their workers, therefore constructing office romance contracts.
If an employee gets involved with a co-worker, and feelings get drawn in, things can get sticky. The relationship may be peachy until they have an argument outside of work, and then have to see each other the following day. The same pertains to college students. Puhn continues, "… there is also the possibility that they break up and continue to have to work on a project together, which could be awkward."
However, there is hope for the classroom/cubicle romantic. Behavioral Science major, Kelleyann Royce, met her husband through working at a school. As it turns out, their place of work was in fact, a classroom, making their relationship even more special.
"I think relationships in the college classroom and at work can work out - it's a lot of time spent together which is nice but if not handled properly, can be a downfall."
This ongoing debate on whether office and classroom relationships are logical may never cease. Some may not let their superior influence their personal lives while others will follow the policies. Classrooms do not have any type of legality preventing students from dating, another reason why so many co-eds find themselves dating someone in one of their classes.
Royce added, "Here's to all the lovers on campus - make it work for you!"
Be the first to comment on this story