In class we discussed the legal definition of sexual harassment. We concluded that is very difficult to identify and be particular on what exactly qualifies as sexual harassment.
We talked about if it was sexual harassment if dating in the work place. If it is welcome before, and not forced into a relationship or to get any advance or a threat in someone’s position, then it is not considered sexual harassment. With that being said that it is not sexual harassment, many organizations have policies set up in regards to interoffice relationships.
We discussed how St. Norbert College has a consensual relationship policy. This means that no teachers can date students, but a teacher can date a teacher. The difference is that in a student and teacher relationship, the student has an advantage to gain and the power difference, whereas if a teacher dating another teacher has no advantage or power from the relationship.
This conversation in class stood out to me because where I currently work, we have interoffice relationships going on. It was never directly stated, but the two show up to work together, leave together, and always in one another office. We do not have a policy set up in place for interoffice dating. For coworkers, this relationship is very uncomfortable because sometimes they disagree and the tension gets think at work and also when they are talking about personal stuff and you need to talk business with one of the two, it gets extremely frustrating.
Overall, I think every workplace needs to have an interoffice relationship policy in place. If the relationship was to go wrong and someone wanted revenge on the other. They could twist the situation and say that there was sexual harassment that occurred and that the behavior was not welcome and interfere with their ability to work.
katiecharles 