“Companies ought to establish clear protocols for handling such circumstances, ensuring that employee privacy is not disproportionately infringed upon. When a relationship has the potential to disrupt the workplace dynamic, particularly between a superior and a subordinate, organizational adjustments, such as reassigning one of the individuals, are advisable. The employer’s response should be characterized by reasonableness, impartiality, and professionalism,”
added Kirลกner.
HR Expert: Resignation is a Suitable Course of Action
“The primary justification for an employee’s departure in this scenario is the inherent potential for blackmail. A supervisor involved in a relationship with a subordinate effectively creates a situation ripe for blackmail, as thay may be consciously or subconsciously influenced by their partner, leading to potential manipulation.
According to this viewpoint, such relationships carry the risk of employees leveraging their position to influence superiors, potentially leading to unequal treatment compared to other colleagues.
“This is the principal reason why an individual should leave the company promptly or as soon as feasible. The relationship can compromise decision-making, potentially favoring the supervisor’s personal interests over those of the company.
Kalet asserts that advocating for resignation is appropriate, even when the relationship is considered a private matter. “One might argue – it’s their personal life, their private affairs, so it’s irrelevant. However, when this personal dynamic impacts professional conduct and decision-making within the workplace, it transcends the private sphere and affects the organization’s integrity, especially when the individuals involved hold positions of authority or public-facing roles.”