When Workplace Romance Goes Bad

Workplace romance had made headlines recently with both the “kiss cam” gotcha moment for Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and the more recent firing of Nestle CEO Laurent Freixe after an investigation into an alleged workplace affair. Both stories captivated the country, in part, because the alleged relationships occurred between superiors and their subordinates. The power inequality inherently in play in such situations added fuel to the fire. But what about workplace relationships between colleagues where no such power structure is in play?

A 2024 Forbes study found that 60 percent of adults report having had a workplace romance in their lifetime. The survey also found that 40 percent of people cheated on their current partner with a coworker, and 43 percent of those surveyed said their romance led to marriage. More than one in three people said they did not report their workplace romance to Human Resources, which, while it may be understandable, can put the company in the crosshairs of future legal action.

The reality is, with people spending so much time at work, it is a natural breeding ground for relationships. Employers can have policies in place, but it is clear people tend to follow their heart not the handbook.