Consensual Relationship Agreements Case Study

Consensual relationship agreements- case study
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Introduction
Various theories regarding consensual relationships exist in the society today. In this regard, it is said that if you have professional workers sharing the same interests collectively for more than forty hours in a week, then there is certainly office romance that will take place in that particular setting. Statistics of studies seem to bring that out very clearly: Looking keenly at a study by valut.com, which is an online career center, forty seven percent of one thousand workers from a surveyed sample were involved in some kind of office romance. Another nineteen percent admitted that they actually could consider it. Among those professionals who had actually had romance in the workplace, eleven percent had romantic relationships with their direct supervisors or another supervisor in another department in the work place.
In this case, Helaine (2007) is keen to point out that such issues in the office are not going away just like that. She points out that it is very important for supervisors to come to terms with the possibility of romance in the workplace now that even studies and statistics support it. They should have well informed and up to date procedures that are worker friendly in place to take care of such issues when they take place. Most experts in the human resource, sociology and relationship issues do not support measures against romance in the office altogether. According to them, it is not a good measure. In fact Helaine (2007) asserts that they actually believe that their experience was if a company tried to forbid it, more people would start dating for the thrill of it.
As a result, such an action would be counterproductive affecting the welfare of the employees at a workplace. According to Helaine (2007), office romance is not about any particular age but can be experienced across all working ages in the office. Nevertheless, each age group handles it differently because the young ones tend to speak about it while the older ones keep silent on them. It is very important to note that most companies still have no policies concerning romance in the workplace.
Discussion
The Consensual Relationship Agreement (CRA) is one of the policies being adopted by many employers world wide and including the authors own workplace at Verizon where he works in the call centre department as a quality assurance officer to deal with relationship matters in the workplace. A CRA is basically a written contract through which the workers with romantic relationships in the workplace are to pay attention to the following aspects concerning office etiquette and employee conduct among others:
Their relationship is voluntary and consensual
This essentially means that professionals or workers who choose to be in a relationship in the workplace are under no pressure from any quarters since it is in their own interest and making. The author tends to agree with this CRA even at Verizon the company he works for since all workers wishing to be in relationships have to take note they are voluntary and consensual. However, it should not be misused, making a workplace a dating center. This could have dire consequences on their individual performance and have their employment terminated. in this regard, the author still strongly believes that a work place is essentially for work and anything else is just a side show and should be treated so.
They agree to abide by the employer’s antidiscrimination, anti-harassment, and workplace conduct policies
Although the parties in romance involved have a romantic relationship in hand, they must recognize their employer’s rules of engagement as far as antidiscrimination, anti-harassment and workplace conduct policies. It should be noted that being in a relationship in the workplace is not an excuse towards disobeying any of the policies. Those in a relationship romantically should be prepared to face the consequences. According to the author, this is a good CRA to control how workers relate with one another in workplace (Helaine, 2007) since at Verizon it is still the case because such offences are handled without any discrimination of whether you are in a relationship or not.
They promise to report any perceived harassment to management, if it occurs
Any romantically involved professionals should not be subject to any sort of harassment in the workplace since it is in order to for them to have a relationship. The author therefore strongly opposes any sort of harassment in the workplace even at Verizon, be it for those in a relationship or not, since mutual respect in the workplace should prevail.
They agree to behave professionally and not to allow the relationship to affect their performance
This, according to the author, is better said and written than done. It is practically very difficult to be in an active romantic relationship and give your all. This is because you have a divided attention and cannot give your all in the capacity you serve the company. From experience here at Verizon especially in the call center department, one is not able to fully concentrate on work. A few cases may prove me wrong, especially those in advanced relationships. All in all, the workplace is a center to perform and work. Work issues should come first and full dedication to work should be observed.
They agree to avoid behavior that offends others in the workplace
It is important for workers in romantic relationships to observe their daily conduct with one another in the office not to offend the other workers. This comes about due to offensive indecent behavior. They should be ready to not show any behaviors that may have dire consequences on them...