Orange County sexual harassment attorney

Tips for Dating a Co-Worker

Many employees have become so concerned with being charged with sexual harassment that they completely avoid thinking about any of their co-workers in a romantic way. They, as well as their employers, have forgotten that it is legal to ask a co-worker out on a date or even start a romantic relationship with that person.

If planning on asking out a co-worker, it is important to keep in mind a variety of issues. The majority of issues concern a management level employee and his or her direct report dating. When a person dates someone that reports to him or her, there are a variety of tasks that need to be assigned to someone else. These include all promotion consideration, the ability to give a raise, and others. Basically, these tasks need to be transferred to avoid the appearance of a quid pro quo relationship.

One must also consider other factors, including the employer’s policy on dating. While there are no federal or state laws which prohibit dating among employees, there are also no laws which prevent employers from making rules. They are known for making rules which affect managers and direct reports most frequently.

Furthermore, couples that form in the workplace must be well aware of the realities of such a relationship. Because romantic relationships do not always work out as they do on TV, it is important to keep in mind that any employees that date and then break up will most likely still have to work with each other after the breakup, regardless of how acrimonious the breakup is.

Dating co-workers need to establish open communication, as they now have a dual relationship. In addition, these people need to work out behavior appropriate for the office. This includes not flirting while at work. While it may seem harmless to the couple involved, it has the potential to make co-workers feel inadequate or insecure.

If you feel you have been sexually harassed at work, please contact Orange County sexual harassment attorney Perry Smith at 1-888-356-2529 to discuss your situation and to determine your legal options.