Personal Relationships in the Workplace

The employment of relatives or individuals involved in a dating relationship in the same area of an organization may cause serious conflicts and problems with favoritism and employee and/or volunteer morale. In addition to claims of partiality in treatment at work, personal conflicts from outside the work environment can be carried over into day-to-day working relationships.

For purposes of this policy, a relative is any person who is related by blood or marriage, or whose relationship with the employee or volunteer is similar to that of persons who are related by blood or marriage. A dating relationship is defined as a relationship that may be reasonably expected to lead to the formation of a consensual "romantic" or sexual relationship. This policy applies to all employees and volunteers without regard to the gender or sexual orientation of the individuals involved.

Relatives of current employees and/or volunteers may not occupy a position that will be working directly for or supervising their relative. Individuals involved in a dating relationship with a current employee or volunteer may also not occupy a position that will be working directly for or supervising the employee or volunteer with whom they are involved in a dating relationship. Sni Valley also reserves the right to take prompt action if an actual or potential conflict of interest arises involving relatives or individuals involved in a dating relationship who occupy positions at any level (higher or lower) in the same line of authority that may affect the review of employment decisions.

If a relative relationship or dating relationship is established after employment between employees and/or volunteers who are in a reporting situation described above, it is the responsibility and obligation of the supervisor involved in the relationship to disclose the existence of the relationship to management. The individuals concerned will be given the opportunity to decide who is to be transferred to another available position. If that decision is not made within 30 calendar days, management will decide who is to be transferred or, if necessary, terminated from employment.

In other cases where a conflict or the potential for conflict arises because of the relationship between employees and/or volunteers, even if there is no line of authority or reporting involved, the employees and/or volunteers may be separated by reassignment or terminated from employment. Employees and/or volunteers in a close personal relationship should refrain from public workplace displays of affection or excessive personal conversation.

Policy No.  105  Issued  6/29/2000  Applicable  6/29/2000