A Working Relationship

The mere rumour of a romance between colleagues is often enough to get the whole office talking. So what happens when youre the multi-billionaire co-founder of Google? Are office romances ever a good idea?
September saw the very public split of Sergey Brin and his wife of six years, Amanda Wojcicki. Naturally with such a high profile couple there is a lot of hearsay; but it has been confirmed that Sergey and his wife are living apart, causing a digital drama that is the talk of Silicon Valley in California. His new partner is believed to be Amanda Rosenberg, a 26 year old who also happens to be a Google employee. The pair had to spend an increasing amount of time together since promotion began for computerised spectacles known as Google Glass Sergeys latest obsession that Amanda is the marketing manager of. All of this doesnt really explain why the pair were pictured together at New York Fashion Week earlier in the year though. And if Sergey and his wife do split up, it seems unlikely to affect the company directly. But his personal life may not be quite so lucky, as the couple are said to have signed a pre-nuptial agreement. Put simply; any evidence of an affair emerges during their married life, as mother of Sergeys two children, Amanda stands to earn a healthy chunk of his estimated 15 billion fortune. co-worker they had dated. And they are in good company. Other famous couples who fell in love at work include Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, and not to mention American president Barack Obama and his wife Michele. Now more than ever, UK businesses need to anticipate office romances. Huffington Post has recently revealed that attitudes have changed for the new generation of employees, also known as millennial employees. An incredible eighty four per-cent of workers aged 18-29 say they would have a romantic relationship with a co-worker, compared to just 36 percent of Generation X workers (ages 30-46) and 29 per-cent of Boomers (age 47-66), according to a recent Workplace Options survey. And 40 per-cent of millennials say they would have no problem dating their supervisors (compared to just 10 per-cent of older generations). Far from feeling nervous, the younger generation cite a work place romance as a boost to their career and morale.

What does it mean for your business?

More than one-third of employees arent sure if theres a company policy about dating at the office. So if your business doesnt have such a policy, its time to consider it. Employees may now have a more relaxed attitude, but you need to be concerned about possible sexual harassment charges or complaints about perceived (or real) employee favouritism. But most importantly, acknowledge employee behaviour with an open mind.

But how common are office romances?

Thirty-nine per cent of 4,216 employees surveyed this year by Career Builder found that they had dated a co-worker at least once during their working lives. Could it be the simple thrill, or simply love? Cynicism aside, thirty per cent of people asked ended up marrying the

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