Workplace Romance

Re “New Rules of Office Romance,” Sept. 23:

The issue of workplace romance is clearly a complex one. Unfortunately, your article describes a response that is driven by fear of legal suits as opposed to one that is informed by psychological and other considerations. The example given of a “love contract” is an after-the-fact response, and one that could be way too late.

Office romances can be based on genuine interest or they can be exploitative; they might be motivated by the desire for excitement, real love or the desire for advancement. The issue is not only whether a romance might lead to later litigation, but also whether it will affect productivity and the wider web of work relations. Office romance is linked to other scourges of contemporary times: violence in the workplace, domestic violence, stalking and sexual harassment.

Company policies often address one or another of these aspects, but rarely integrate them into a comprehensive approach. While a policy should include a legal component, one that is only legally based carries the danger of sending such relationships underground (think of Clinton/Lewinsky). Unwittingly, an approach that is only legally based can be the catalyst for the feared outcome, namely litigation.

A more enlightened approach would be to create a work culture that encourages openness, allows discussion and provides contingencies for the romantic couple as well as their supervisors.

MICHAEL DISHON

Century City