Relationships in the Workforce

[Japan]

Tonight feels like the last straw. For several months now I've seen one of my managers and another co-worker date. Now, I am an open minded person, however I do tend to get annoyed when 'play' gets in the way of actually getting stuff done.

Back to this manager and co-worker of mine. We have rules at work (McDonalds) where you must be in uniform when working. You must be on the time clock in order to work. Employees must not loiter in the lobby or behind the counter when they are off the clock. When you are on the clock, you must work and not play around.

This co-worker breaks all these rules and gets away with it. She doesn't even use gloves in the grill area when she is suppose to. If that is not enough, they make out during their shifts, go out and see the other if one is on a break or not on the clock. (But the other one is)

To top it off, her shift starts earlier in the day sometimes and then I clock on two to three hours later. Who gets sent home when things get slow? Sadly me.

From reading this little rant, you can see where I stand on this issue. What are your opinions? You think that employers should forbid relationships between co-workers? Why or why not?

[Sandy]

[quote name='Japan_86']You think that employers should forbid relationships between co-workers? Why or why not?[/QUOTE]

On the other hand I'd say yes, for the reasons you just stated. Obviously those two have let their relationship get in the way of their work, and you should complain to the higher-ups about it instead of suffering from the situation. The pair might hate you for it, but they can only blame themselves for it.

Then again, if the co-workers can be civil about it and not let their relationship affect their work, in my opinion they are free to do what they want in their spare time. Falling in love is not something that can be easily controlled, especially not by outsiders.

So like many things, this too depends on who were talking about and what the situation is.

[Odin M Yggdrasi]

Not only should they be forbidden, but it is unwise from the standpoint of the people involved in the relationship too. Though it is convenient being together all the time, in the event that one should lose their job it is likely the other one too. Working at separate companies you're less likely to be completely without income.

And yes, you run into situations like you are describing. The manager is being impartial due to his feelings, and one of the two should be removed to a different location or terminated in order to better run the business and not make the others jealous.

[Sabrina]

[FONT="Tahoma"][quote name='Japan_86']From reading this little rant, you can see where I stand on this issue. What are your opinions? You think that employers should forbid relationships between co-workers? Why or why not?[/QUOTE]No, it's wrong to forbid people from having a relationship. But, it is fair to forbid them to do relationship related stuff at work. They're there to do a job and get paid for that job, not to take advantage of their position to do whatever they want.

In this situation, as harsh as it sounds, they deserve to be fired. I've seen it happen, friends lose a job because they couldn't leave their personal lives behind. But for those that do, work in the same place while being in a relationship, if they are keeping that seperate then we have no right to dictate who they see when they are off the clock and not getting paid.[/FONT]

[Rachmaninoff]

[quote name='Japan_86'] What are your opinions? You think that employers should forbid relationships between co-workers? Why or why not?[/QUOTE]There has to be some level of restriction if co-workers are in a relationship. In this case, either seperate shifts or seperate locations. In the long run, it's better that way, especially when it's a case like you've mentioned where they are abusing their position. So on some level, yes, they should be forbidden.

In general [[SIZE="1"]outside of work[/SIZE]] I don't think relationships should be forbidden, but they definitely should not be allowed to spill into the workplace. Plus with one being a manager, that's a serious breach in that I'm sure company policy would forbid what they are doing. In that case, they shouldn't be allowed to work together, period.

I know that as a teacher, I am expressly forbidden to be involved in teaching a student if there is any form of a relationship. I'll pick on Beth a bit here as an example: if she were to decide to attend the University of Utah... Policy would dictate that since we are dating, she could not take any class that I teach. Guidelines like that are just common sense really, to avoid potential problems just like you mentioned.

Anyway, I'm sure that plenty of people can handle a situation like that in a professional manner, but unfortunately those that can't, like the two you mentioned, make rules prohibiting relationship between workers necessary in my opinion. So I'd go above their heads and report them for the behavior. If they get fired, it's their own fault really.

[sakurasuka]

[FONT="Arial"][SIZE="1"]

The manager should be fired. It is his job to ensure that this doesn't happen.

I work with my significant other, but we are both on the same level in management positions. We supervise different shifts, so we have never had problems. Public displays of affection are also strictly forbidden where I work, so that has never been an issue either.

Can you speak to anyone higher up about this problem? You should not have to suffer because of someone else's inability to keep the workplace a proffesional place of business.

[/SIZE][/FONT]

[Japan]

I plan on telling my head manager today. This is hard for me because the manager in question is a pretty cool guy. McDonalds sure is like a high school.

[Korey]

[FONT="Franklin Gothic Medium"]At my job, it's actually illegal for superiors to have relationships with people who work under them. It's a firable offense for both parties. I would say that relationships in the workplace should be taboo, but a lot of people do meet their lovers when at the workplace, more so than people would like to admit.

Now, on a personal note, I would say that them falling in love is their choice and that no one should regulate people's feelings. In a sense it's depressing human emotion, which is one of our societies highest pet peeves. However, when it comes to a companies interests, love is definitely not one of them. They are out to make money and as workers, we're there to make it for them. So, when a relationship interferes with productivity, then yeah, it's a problem.

My final verdict? Tell your boss. It's a problem for you other workers and it should be dealt with before it gets the chance to escalate to something beyond what it is at this juncture.

Court is ajourned. Case Closed. *bangs gavel*[/FONT]

[DeathKnight]

[color=crimson]I've worked at pretty laid back places on the night shift so people PDAing and goofing off only mattered to me when rushes hit. What really bugs me is when, out of three workers on a shift, the other two guys go and smoke marijuana with four or five hours left for them to be **** out of their mind, haha.

I think, in a blanket way, relationships at the workplace should be regulated simply because too many awkward and negative situations can arise, especially outside of the services industry and in the corporate world.[/color]

[Ellerby]

[quote name='DeathKnight'][color=crimson]I've worked at pretty laid back places on the night shift so people PDAing and goofing off only mattered to me when rushes hit. What really bugs me is when, out of three workers on a shift, the other two guys go and smoke marijuana with four or five hours left for them to be **** out of their mind, haha.[/color][/QUOTE]
[FONT="Tahoma"][COLOR="DimGray"]Even as a smoker I have to agree that smoking reefer at or right before work is still really dumb. I tried doing it once and I constantly screwed up orders, forgot things and it just wasn't fun.

As for relationships in a workplace I don't really care so long as the couple doesn't let it slow down their working. I work at a movie theatre and with so many teenage employees there is always at least 3 couples going around. But I found that since the people in the relationships were good workers before they dated, they stayed good workers even after. We still get things done properly and on time as if nobody was dating at all.[/COLOR][/FONT]

[Japan]

UPDATE: Turns out the girl has been put on suspension a while now and the two head managers gave the manager in question a talking to.

[Shy]

[size=1]I'm more annoyed when moderators date. That's the worst!

Try to show some professionalism guys. Seriously.

-Shy[/size]