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Office romances can turn long term

An average of two out of five workplace relationships lead to long term relationships, including marriage and civil partnerships, a new study suggests.

The Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) surveyed 1,000 employees about their experiences and attitudes to romance in the workplace.

Thirty-seven per cent of those who said they had dated colleagues reported that the affair had turned into a long lasting relationship, and more than 25 per cent had gone to marry or enter a civil partnership with their partner.

A roughly equal percentage of such relationships – around one third – began in the office itself and at social events outside the workplace. The great majority – 70 per cent –of workplace relationships take place between similarly ranked colleagues.

More than 60 per cent of managers said they would not be concerned if they discovered that colleagues had become romantically involved, as long as this did not interfere with their work.

In spite of this apparent tolerance, 21 per cent said they thought colleagues would disapprove and 30 per cent actively kept the relationship a secret. A minority of those who had had workplace relationships in the past admitted the affair had might have had a negative affect on their work.

ILM chief executive Charles Elvin said:

“Employers may want to think twice before vetoing love at work, or they risk forcing staff to hide their relationships, creating a culture of secrecy and deceit.”

The ILM is the “UK’s largest management body”.

The blog team at Stowe is a group of writers based across our family law offices who share their advice on the wellbeing and emotional aspects of divorce or separation from personal experience. As well as pieces from our family law solicitors, guest contributors also regularly contribute to share their knowledge.

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Comments(3)

  1. Andrew says:

    You can’t forbid it. It does not work.

    There are two youngsters in my office at this moment whose fascination with each other is a joy to see. They are of the same age and at the same lowly grade. Bless their cotton socks, say I!

    And I cast my mind back more than forty years when I refuse to hear a word said about sex in the office . . .

  2. Andrew says:

    That should be “AGAINST sex in the office”!

  3. Links and tips for February 20 - mmadigital says:

    […] Office romances…https://www.stowefamilylaw.co.uk/2015/02/13/office-romances-can-turn-long-term/ […]

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