Subordinates possibly having an affair?

[Anonymous]

Imagine you are a supervisor of two people. They are both married but their spouses travel a lot. They work very closely, and very well. You are particularly close to one of them, have become friends, have met their spouse, and have become their mentor.

You suspect they are having an affair, or will very soon have one. Work has *not* been affected. Their roles complement each other, so business needs dictate they should continue working closely together. But knowing one of these individuals well, you suspect that, if things escalate, this might not end up well for that person emotionally.

What would you do? Presumably the professional approach is to "do absolutely nothing, not your business, just ignore, they are adults." That said, you might be mindful of the fallout if/when things escalate / become complicated.

And independently, would you privately lose some level of respect for those individuals from a personal viewpoint, even if you of course continue to treat them with the upmost respect professionally?

[Anonymous]

I think that absent a performance issue, and without any direct knowledge of what is going on, there isn’t much for you to do at the moment. it may be that they just have chemistry; it may be that they will step back from the brink; it may be one of the great love stories. No way to know. In the near term, it’s probably just helping their performance, so get as much out of them as you can before the explosion. lol

[Anonymous]

You do nothing. As long as their work is satisfactory, it’s not your business.

[Anonymous]

Does your organization have rules about fraternization? Can coworkers "date"?
If not post the rules.

[Anonymous]

Wait till they banging turns to breakup then fire the one whose work is not up to par for cause.

[Anonymous]

What is your company policy about office romance? I might quickly institute a policy if you don’t already have one, and I would have a training on it for everyone asap.

I would not lose respect for either of them. You never know what’s going on inside someone’s marriage. Also, people are fallible.

[Anonymous]

Does your organization have rules about this? Could you be reprimanded for not reporting it if it’s exposed? I would mind my own business and maintain a professional distance from here on out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Imagine you are a supervisor of two people. They are both married but their spouses travel a lot. They work very closely, and very well. You are particularly close to one of them, have become friends, have met their spouse, and have become their mentor.

You suspect they are having an affair, or will very soon have one. Work has *not* been affected. Their roles complement each other, so business needs dictate they should continue working closely together. But knowing one of these individuals well, you suspect that, if things escalate, this might not end up well for that person emotionally.

What would you do? Presumably the professional approach is to "do absolutely nothing, not your business, just ignore, they are adults." That said, you might be mindful of the fallout if/when things escalate / become complicated.

And independently, would you privately lose some level of respect for those individuals from a personal viewpoint, even if you of course continue to treat them with the upmost respect professionally?

It will actually make me like them more. I had an affair with a co-worker myself.

[Anonymous]

Before you do anything, ask yourself one question- what proof do I have??

[Anonymous]

I’d hold a company wide training about not sleeping with people you work with especially when you’re married.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You do nothing. As long as their work is satisfactory, it’s not your business.

OP, I don’t trust posts written in this fashion.

[Anonymous]

Unless there is conflict of interest, one supervises the other or similar, or they’re breaking clear company rules, you do nothing. It’s none of your business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You do nothing. As long as their work is satisfactory, it’s not your business.

This

[Anonymous]

You mind your business.

[Anonymous]

MYOB. You know nothing.