Consensual Relationship In The Workplace

Even though romantic interactions in the office are becoming more and more common, employers have sincere reasons for apprehension about workers dating. The main fear is a sexual harassment lawsuit resulting from either: 1) a superior who has a pattern of soliciting juniors out on dates; 2) a worker who files a complaint after a consensual relationship goes south; or 3) the view of co-workers that a manager is playing favorites with his or her "significant other."

Sexual harassment laws forbid "unwelcome" sexual advances. Therefore, the partakers in a really "consensual" relationship cannot support sexual harassment. The struggle for the employer is proving that the relationship was consensual. Frequently, an employee will contend that he