Romance in the Workplace – How Do I Handle It?
Published on: 21/02/2023
Article Authors The main content of this article was provided by the following authors.
Claire Macken Senior Associate, RDJ LLP
Claire Macken Senior Associate, RDJ LLP
Claire macken 2022

Claire is a Senior Associate, practising as part of the firm’s Employment team. She has extensive experience advising clients in the private and public sector on contentious and non-contentious employment law matters, including claims for unfair dismissal, equality and discrimination claims, personal injuries, redundancy and fixed-term legislation. She also provides advice on grievances, bullying and harassment investigations, and disciplinary and performance issues.

Claire also has a keen interest in alternative dispute resolutions and has gained vast practical experience of settlement negotiations and mediations.

She is a member of the Employment Law Association of Ireland and Irish Women Lawyers’ Association. She also contributes to Legal Island’s publication service.

Jennifer Cashman Partner and Head of Employment Group, RDJ LLP
Jennifer Cashman Partner and Head of Employment Group, RDJ LLP
Jennifer cashman 2022

Jennifer Cashman has more than 20 years’ specialist experience advising a wide range of employers across a number of sectors. Recognised as a Leading Individual in Irish Employment Law in the 2023 edition of The Legal 500 Europe and is also recommended as a Leading Lawyer (Band 1) in Chambers Europe. Recognised thought-leader on various employment law and HR issues, in particular retirement ages and age discrimination. Clients praise Jennifer for her “practical, business-focused advice” and say “she gives "straight answers to straight questions… clearly very experienced and her delivery is fantastic - always clear and to the point."

We have been made aware of an ongoing romantic relationship between two members of staff. We are concerned that this relationship may give rise to issues in the workplace. How do we handle it?

Given the amount of time spent in the workplace and in the company of work colleagues, it is not surprising that workplace romances remain prevalent. Understandably romantic relationships within the workplace, depending on the circumstances, may prove problematic and employers commonly have concerns that the existence of such relationships may give rise to complaints involving bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, breach of confidentiality or conflicts of interest. Workplace romances can give rise to a host of employment issues and there is no question that there is

Continue reading

We help hundreds of people like you understand how the latest changes in employment law impact your business.

Already a subscriber?

Please log in to view the full article.

What you'll get:

  • Help understand the ramifications of each important case from NI, GB and Europe
  • Ensure your organisation's policies and procedures are fully compliant with NI law
  • 24/7 access to all the content in the Legal Island Vault for research case law and HR issues
  • Receive free preliminary advice on workplace issues from the employment team

Already a subscriber? Log in now or start a free trial

Disclaimer The information in this article is provided as part of Legal Island's Employment Law Hub. We regret we are not able to respond to requests for specific legal or HR queries and recommend that professional advice is obtained before relying on information supplied anywhere within this article. This article is correct at 21/02/2023
Discover the smarter way to deliver staff training (without the stress)! Streamline your company-wide training, enhance your staff's skills, and in increase productivity with our learning management system, AppLI LMS