The stats here are a bit murky, however. Sixteen percent of survey respondents said office romances decreased coworker morale, while 8 percent said it deflated morale among those involved in the romance itself. Look how it turned out for Melissa Gates, for example. The Microsoft PR staffer married the big boss. In fact, they can be beneficial.
Employees often channel romantic energy to work tasks.
They bring enthusiasm and energy to their work. Regardless, says SHRM's Accipiter, companies would be wise to make clear their policies regarding relationships. Fully 86 percent of respondents to SHRM's survey failed to train supervisors on how to manage workplace romances. Violations of the policy were never met with an official response. Whatever the response, however, the situation and employees involved should be handled with courtesy and professionalism.