Forums
Workplace PDA's
General Forum
Workplace PDA's
Discuss workforce management, performance management, retention, communication, motivation, contributing to business results and other topics.
Does anyone have a policy on workplace public displays of affection?
We have a married couple here who walk to the production floor holding hands, peck on the lips goodbye and go their separate way
0
Cat:Topic ForumsForum:ForumId53
Cat:Topic ForumsForum:ForumId53Discussion:DiscussionId36765
Forums » Topic Forums » General Forum » Workplace PDA's
|
Workplace PDA's
posted at 10/14/2010 5:08 AM EDT
|
Posts: 118
First: 2/28/2008 Last: 7/29/2011 |
Does anyone have a policy on workplace public displays of affection?
We have a married couple here who walk to the production floor holding hands, peck on the lips goodbye and go their separate ways. After 6 months, now others employees have said it makes them uncomfortable. The manager feels ok with them holding hands on their walk out, but not kissing on the production floor. I do not want to forbid all public displays of affection, because employees sometimes hug each other, etc. I just do not know where we should draw the line or even if we need a written policy on this, or just to provide some simple guidelines. |
|
|
Workplace PDA's
posted at 10/14/2010 5:59 AM EDT
|
|
Posts: 1103
First: 3/16/2007 Last: 8/19/2011 |
I take a slightly different perspective of this than my esteemed colleagues. This is a workplace and kisses are simply not professional (assuming you are in the US and not operating internationally in a culture where this form of greeting is normal)
I don't see two employees holding hands as exhibiting proper workplace conduct/behavior either. They are employees in the workplace. While they happen to be married to each other, they are employees first. I would simply have their supervisor counsel them to stop the behavior and leave it outside. |
|
|
Workplace PDA's
posted at 10/14/2010 6:33 AM EDT
|
|
Posts: 410
First: 1/26/2006 Last: 11/15/2010 |
Hi:
I completely agree w/ the HRPro post. Moreover, consistency related to protected characteristics (e.g., gender) is also relevant--would the organization's approach be the same if it were a same-sex couple that were engaging in the behavior in question?? Dave Arnold, Ph.D., J.D. |
|
|
Workplace PDA's
posted at 10/14/2010 6:33 AM EDT
|
|
Posts: 410
First: 1/26/2006 Last: 11/15/2010 |
Hi:
I completely agree w/ the HRPro post. Moreover, consistency related to protected characteristics (e.g., gender) is also relevant--would the organization's approach be the same if it were a same-sex couple that were engaging in the behavior in question?? Dave Arnold, Ph.D., J.D. |
|
|
Workplace PDA's
posted at 10/14/2010 6:40 AM EDT
|
|
Posts: 118
First: 2/28/2008 Last: 7/29/2011 |
If we do institute a policy- where is the line drawn?
I've seen people walk with their arms around each other, but they are not in a romantic relationship. (I'm thinking of a situation where one person is upset and the other person is comforting them.) No touching seems to be restrictive, but we can't think of every circumstance. I'm concerned about having a policy and then enforcing it. The other couples never display affection, but what if one of them kisses their spouse before they leave for a business related trip? Then they've violated a policy? I appreciate everyone's feedback. If anyone has a sample of their policy, I'd love to see it. |
|
|
Workplace PDA's
posted at 10/14/2010 7:01 AM EDT
|
|
Posts: 544
First: 9/27/2004 Last: 9/13/2011 |
Interesting, I used to work for a company that hired a lot of married couples who did this kind of thing and it didn't offend anyone. We also used to hug each other until a new supervisor came onboard and decided we shouldn't behave that way. It didn't matter to me one way or the other, but others found the new policy insulting.
In contrast I've worked places where you would never guess colleagues were married because there were zero displays of public afection - although I am not sure there were formal policies in place. All I know is that we didn't touch each other beyond an initial handshake. Right now I work for an organization that has multiple sites around the country, the site I work for is pretty much hands off, but when my colleagues from out-of-town show up it's one big hugging and pecking party. I don't know where I would stand on this. I do know that it's not ok to shove, hit, kick, punch, throw objects at, or spit on each other! |
|
|
Workplace PDA's
posted at 10/14/2010 8:12 AM EDT
|
|
Posts: 1103
First: 3/16/2007 Last: 8/19/2011 |
deltac the behavior the OP shared is fraught with risk for the organization. Admittedly to many it seems innocent enough but as Dave shared (twice)what would be the organizations reaction to a cohabiting couple (same sex or not). Further, what would/could happen if one was senior to another and the relationship soured?
Obviously any organization can choose to do as they wish. They can draw the line wherever they wish (providing laws are not violated either locally or federally). I know where I would recommend drawing it. |
|
|
Workplace PDA's
posted at 10/14/2010 9:27 AM EDT
|
|
Posts: 562
First: 11/12/2009 Last: 9/14/2011 |
I just gave my wife a peck outside the lunch room. I'm so ashamed.....
HRPro and Dave give a great rationale for not allowing PDA's in the work place. If it's allowed, then it does open the door for more wanted or unwanted behavior - and the unwanted stuff can land you in trouble. But do it for that reason, not because some hypersensitive employees object. |
Forums » Topic Forums » General Forum » Workplace PDA's
