Factsheet providing guidance on the legal implications involved in managing personal relationships in the workplace.

Introduction

Personal relationships among co-workers pose several risks to the business. They can lead to:

• Interference or influence in day to day activities
• Nepotism or favouritism
• Breach of confidentiality
• Unacceptable conduct
• Personal conflicts in the workplace
• Fraud

These risks are not limited to sexual relationships and apply to any close relationship, including members of one`s family, and can occur when the relationship exists wholly within the same organisation or where an employee of a customer, supplier or competitor is involved.