- One in three UK employees have witnessed a colleague’s secret relationship impact team performance.
- 61% believe workplace romances damage professional reputations and derail promotions.
- HR experts warn of the legal and emotional fallout when office romances turn sour
A new survey of 2,000 UK office workers has found that over half say team morale suffered after learning about a colleague’s secret romantic relationship. The findings uncovered by the UKs largest online printer instantprint, follow a viral moment at a Coldplay concert in Boston, where a couple later revealed to be coworkers, awkwardly ducked the kiss cam spotlight, sparking speculation and office déjà vu around the world.
According to the research, office romances may be more than just water cooler fodder. 28% of employees say they’ve seen romantic entanglements result in formal HR complaints, while 61% believe professional reputations suffer as a result of these relationships. Nearly 60% admit they feel less comfortable in the workplace after discovering a colleague’s affair.
The hidden costs are substantial. From productivity slumps to tension filled team dynamics and rising tribunal claims, experts suggest many companies are still unprepared to deal with the emotional and legal complexities that workplace relationships can bring.
Angela Hunter, TX (HR) Manager at instantprint, comments on the findings:
“Workplace relationships are often inevitable, but they can pose risk, especially where there’s a power imbalance or lack of transparency. To avoid disruption and maintain fairness, it’s important to foster openness and ensure managers are equipped to handle these situations with care and professionalism.”
Her advice for employers:
- Equip managers to handle emotional fallout when relationships end
- Encourage open dialogue and offer confidential routes for raising concerns
- Ensure promotion decisions are clearly documented to avoid perceptions of favouritism.
The research comes at a time when workplace culture is under the microscope. With hybrid working blurring lines between personal and professional lives, experts say now is the time for businesses to revisit their values and ensure clarity around conduct.
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