Photo Shutterstock A crush on a colleague? Crazy about a student? You wouldn’t be the first, as many a WUR couple can testify. What is new as of last September is that campus couples now have to keep to the Relationships at Work code. What does that code say and does it also apply to ‘situationships’, affairs and other secret liaisons? We asked HR project manager Joyce van der Velden.
Surely relationships are a private matter?
‘First of all, WUR is not opposed to relationships between co-workers. It’s wonderful if two people fall for one another. But a relationship is never just a matter for the two of you; many other people are affected too. Relationships at work can raise questions about integrity. Are the two lovebirds pulling strings for one another, do they respect the confidentiality of information given to one of them, is there a conflict of interest or misuse of power? The same applies if the couple break up. That is why the code states you should report it if a private relationship overlaps with a professional relationship.’
Even if you never do any work with your lover?
‘If you fall for a colleague who you don’t have anything to do with at work and never will, that’s fine and I wish you luck — you don’t have to report that relationship. But if there is any overlap between your professional connections and your love life — or family connections (see inset, ed.), your boss or HR consultant should be informed.’
Are these reports recorded anywhere and how long is that information kept?
‘No. The report is not recorded in your personnel file or in any other administrative system. The only exception is if there are consequences, for example when someone can’t be assessed by their boss because they are in a relationship together, or they are assigned a new job for this reason. Official confirmation is needed of these agreements.’
What if it’s in the early stages or you don’t want others to know for some other reason?
‘The code is clear on this: every love affair, even if it’s in the early stages or adulterous, must be reported to the line manager or HR. The code says such reports will be handled “discretely and with respect for privacy”. No relationship will be made public if you don’t want that.’
What about relationships between teachers and students? Is WUR OK with that as long as they don’t have anything to do with one another in education or research?
‘No, actually. WUR is not keen on relationships between teachers and students. It isn’t forbidden, but we expect our staff in particular to be extremely cautious in that regard. That is mainly due to moral and ethical considerations. And it must always be reported because there is always a power imbalance.
Scope
The Relationships at Work code applies to both romantic relationships and first- and second-degree relatives. It deals with relationships between employees, relationships between an employee and a student, or relationships between an employee and an external person who works at or for WUR, such as a supplier or temporary hire. It does not apply to close friendships, although the code does say people should be ‘alert to situations that form an integrity risk’. The code can be downloaded at bit.ly/relacodewur.
