In this episode of The Job Judge podcast, Karen discusses workplace romances and whether they are a good idea. She categorizes workplace behavior into three categories: never ever, maybe, and go. She advises that supervisors should never date anyone within their chain of command, while coworker relationships fall into the maybe category. Karen warns that workplace romances can quickly become a nightmare for HR and advises against engaging in any secret behavior. She also highlights that individuals who break up with a workplace partner should not assume the risk of being sexually harassed and should report any harassment to HR. According to Forbes, 60% of adults have had a workplace romance, with 43% leading to marriage. However, 40% of workplace romances involved cheating on an existing partner, leading to increased gossip and perceptions of favoritism. Karen concludes that while workplace romances can be successful, individuals should be cautious and consider the potential risks and complications.

The Job Judge Podcast is a podcast for anyone who works. This is not legal advice! Engaging and informative, it’s a must-listen/watch for any manager, business owner, HR professional, or anyone who works. Relying on three decades of experience as an employment law attorney and HR Executive, Karen Michael uses real case studies in the news and navigates through the legal landmines and workplace dysfunction that we know is probably happening right now in your organization.