Assignment #1: Consensual Relationship Agreements in the Workplace Case Study

BUS 520: Leadership and Organizational Management

Submitted to: Dr. Thomas Schaefer, Strayer University Instructor Submitted by: Aythea L. Jackson

1. Argue for the use of Consensual Relationship Agreements (CRAs) in your current (or future) workplace.
Most employers have realized that employees send a great deal of time within the week in the environment. Due to the time spent in close professional relationships, people learn of similar interests such as education, intellectual interests, common personal acquaintances, as well as shared workplace stresses, and/or pleasantries, therefore personal relationships often evolve.
In a 2005 SHRM poll (Parks, 2006) 40 percent of employee acknowledge being involved in a workplace romance, yet only 12 percent of organizations have a formal or written workplace romance policy. (Shellenbarger, 2004)
Employers often in past practices had an established policy or non-fraternization between employees. In at least two of my past employers I have had to sign a policy of non-fraternization. Now is it realistic to think a policy like that can be fully enforced? Relationships forged at work have led to people eating lunch together, attending church with one another or may even visit one another’s home. In some instances, the relationship between co-workers can change from being platonic to romantic. While the ban of dating between co-workers may not be realistic, organizations should have some form of protection legally if the relationship has the potential of a negative impact on the organization, even if the relationship itself is in a positive state.
A Consensual