There are three primary scenarios that happen when people break up. They are as follows:
- They are mature and responsible adults who maintain a business relationship.
- They hold ill feelings for each other spread gossip and have a difficult time working with each other.
- Someone attempts to damage the other person.
- One person doesn't want the relationship to end.
When people break up they should recognize that they were both at fault and move on in their lives. If they liked each other before they should be able to maintain at least a working relationship now. In order for that to happen they have to be emotionally mature people that can keep their anger in check.
Sometimes when a couple breaks up they may not actively seek to hurt each other but let their emotions get the best of them from time to time. When that happens rumors are often spread and the couple has a difficult time working together. Productivity in their departments is lessened as people choose sides in the debate and the couple tries to avoid each other.
There are times when deep seated resentment remains after the relationship has ended. The parties run down to the police station and file personal protection orders, attempt to get each other fired and undermine each other at work. In these situations there is a high chance that the organization will be drawn into the conflict.
Lastly, there are other times when one party doesn't seem to understand the relationship is over. He/She constantly calls the other person, drive by their house and creates problems with the dating competition. If the company is aware about such situations and fails to act what happens outside the workplace can make a company liable.
The best course of action to protect your company from lawsuits is to develop a policy that requires disclosure of relationships, a strict policy of 0-tolerance for sexual harassment, discipline or removal of managers who date subordinates and investigating complaints quickly and concisely. If the employer maintains these policies and is proactive they will likely be able to weather most situations in which they are drawn.
