People spend a lot of time with their colleagues, making it inevitable that some working relationships may turn into romantic ones. However, they can pose potential risks to both employers and employees if, for example, they result in favouritism or unfair treatment, or if relationships between colleagues are conducted inappropriately or end badly. These risks are potentially greater if romantic relationships occur between a manager and a more junior staff member, particularly if they work within the same team or on the same project.

This factsheet looks at how employers can establish clear policies and procedures around relationships in the workplace, whilst respecting employees’ right to a private life.

Contents

Members access only

Unlock exclusive, tailored content and resources, just for members.

Sign in to access

Not a member yet? Find out how you can become a member today!

This factsheet was last updated by Lisa Ayling and Rachel Suff.

Lisa Ayling: solicitor and employment law specialist

Lisa is a lawyer with many years’ experience of contentious and non‐contentious employment law. As well as writing and editing employment law content for the CIPD, Lisa lectures extensively on employment law, including years as a senior lecturer and leader of the employment team at BPP University and on the LLM programme at Kingston University. 

Rachel Suff: Senior Employee Relations Adviser, CIPD

Rachel informs CIPD policy thinking on health and wellbeing as well as employment relations. She has over 25 years’ experience in the employment and HR arena.

CIPD Trust

Tackling barriers to work today whilst creating inclusive workplaces of tomorrow.

Find out more

Bullying
and harassment

Discover our practice guidance and recommendations to tackle bullying and harassment in the workplace.

View our resources

More on this topic

Latest factsheets

Factsheet
Pay fairness and pay reporting

Find out what's meant by fair pay, what pay information UK employers must disclose by law and the opportunities pay narratives bring.

For Members
Factsheet
Organisational climate and culture

Discover why organisational culture is an influential but problematic term, and why employers should focus on organisational climate to more readily enact positive change

For Members
Factsheet
Occupational health

Outlines the kind of occupational health services an organisation might offer and the role of confidentiality and consent in discussing an employee’s health

For Members
Factsheet
Harassment and bullying at work

Understand what bullying and harassment at work is, and how employers and employees can address the problem

All factsheets