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NEW YORK, February 10, 2003—While
many office workers may be concerned about the latest computer virus on
the loose, it’s the love bug that has captivated others. A survey
by American Management Association shows that 44 percent of managers who
dated someone from work said their relationships led to marriage.
AMA surveyed its executive members and corporate customers about their
office policies and personal attitudes about workplace dating. Of the
391 managers and executives who responded, 30 percent admitted to having
dated someone from work. Of those 116 people, 44 percent said their dating
led to marriage; another 23 percent said their dating led to a long-term
relationship that either continues or has since ended; and 33 percent
reported that office dating led to short-term relationships.
“People work longer hours today which creates fewer opportunities
to meet others outside of the office. So, it’s no surprise that
budding romances blossom among those with whom we spend the most time,”
said Leemor Amado, AMA’s associate practice consultant. “Company
initiatives that foster employee socialization, work teams that bring
different groups of people together to collaborate, as well as casual
dress codes may help to create environments where colleagues feel more
comfortable dating.”
According to AMA’s survey, 84 percent of respondents said that their
companies had no written policies on workplace or employee dating, compared
to 12 percent of companies that had policies; four percent of respondents
did not know whether such a policy existed. Of the companies where policies
did exist, 11 percent prohibit any co-worker from dating, whereas the
majority of companies prohibit employees from dating a subordinate (92%)
or a superior (69%).
Men’s and women’s personal attitudes
about this subject are similar. According to the findings, 68 percent
of men and 64 percent of women felt it was okay for employees to date.
However, more women (36%) dated someone from work than did men (26%).
Attitudes among different generations at work
are also similar. Sixty-nine percent of managers in their 30s and 40s
said it was okay for employees to date, compared to 66 percent of managers
in their 50s and 60s.
Of all of those respondents who think workplace
dating is okay, 96 percent of men and women said it is acceptable as long
as it is between co-workers. However, more men said it was okay to date
a superior (27%) or subordinate (24%), compared to women vs responses
(18% and 15%, respectively).
American Management Association routinely conducts
surveys of its members and corporate customers on timely management and
workplace issues. Recent surveys have examined crisis management and security,
corporate values, internal collaboration, job outlook and current economic
conditions. For executive summaries of these surveys, visit online at
www.amanet.org/research/.
About AMA
American Management Association is the world’s leading membership-based
management development organization. For 80 years, it has provided valuable
and practical action-oriented learning programs to people at all levels,
in all industries, from companies and agencies of all sizes. More than
500,000 AMA customers and members a year learn new skills and behaviors,
gain more confidence, advance their careers and contribute to the success
of their organizations through a wide range of AMA seminars, conferences
and executive forums, as well as through AMA books and publications, research
and print and online self-study courses.
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