Employee Fraternization Policy Template at Work
A ready-to-use Employee Fraternization Policy covering acceptable and unacceptable workplace dating behavior, plus a free downloadable PDF.
Download Employee Fraternization Policy Template
Table of Contents
What is an Employee Fraternization Policy?
Having a solid employee dating policy matters: it gives everyone a framework for acceptable behavior and protects both the company and its people from problems down the line. An employee fraternization policy should be a real part of your company culture, something everyone on the team actually understands.
Plenty of companies would rather their employees not date each other at all, mainly to avoid workplace friction and the risk of things turning messy if a relationship ends. But broad bans on dating colleagues rarely serve any real purpose beyond pushing couples to hide their relationship if they do find each other at work.
A clear employee fraternization policy gives your organization clarity, guidance, and real boundaries around interoffice dating. Done well, it makes sure relationships don't end up hurting the people involved, their colleagues, or the company as a whole.
Standard Employee Fraternization Policy Format
Here's a sample Employee Fraternization Policy you can adapt for your own organization:
[Company Name]'s employee dating policy sets out the rules for employees who are in a personal relationship with a colleague. Without clear norms in place, romantic relationships between coworkers can end up hurting workplace culture, which is why this policy puts some structure around how employees form relationships at work.
Purpose
This policy helps keep the workplace safe and professional. Since employees spend so much time together at the office, professional relationships can sometimes turn romantic, and this policy exists to manage what that means for the workplace.
Scope
This policy applies to every employee at [Company Name], regardless of gender, sexual orientation, authority, department, or role.
Dating in the Workplace
Dating a coworker can create real problems if it's not handled well. Couples might end up spending more time talking than working, and conflicts or breakups between them can disrupt the wider team. To avoid that, employees should:
- Let HR know about a relationship with a coworker.
- Avoid discussing personal issues at work.
- Seek advice from [name or professional title of the person] if needed.
- Stay professional at all times.
Unacceptable Behavior
Employees in a relationship are expected to behave appropriately and professionally at work. Anything that offends or distracts other employees, disrupts operations, or lowers productivity is considered improper.
Employees in a relationship should avoid:
- Arguing during working hours
- Kissing or inappropriate touching around coworkers
- Exchanging non-work-related messages or calls during business hours
- Discussing personal matters in a way that makes others uncomfortable
Acceptable Behavior
The company recognizes that a partner's presence at work is hard to ignore entirely. With that in mind, the following is considered acceptable:
- A short, non-work-related chat
- Discussing schedules during lunch or breaks
- Traveling to and from work together
Actions Against Fraternization in the Workplace
Employees who don't follow this policy will be held accountable, with consequences that can go as far as termination.
[Company Name] does not tolerate victimization of any kind, including gossip, inappropriate jokes, or comments directed at employees for any reason. Employees are expected to report this kind of behavior to HR.
Company's Commitment
Just as employees are expected to follow this policy, the company holds itself to the following commitments:
- Enforcing this policy at every level of the organization
- Protecting employees' freedom and rights
- Looking at every situation on its own merits before making a decision
- Avoiding bias, victimization, hostility, or discrimination of any kind
Quick, Actionable Tips
- The purpose and scope of the policy.
- How workplace dating is defined, and the rules around it.
- What counts as acceptable and unacceptable behavior for employees in a relationship with a colleague.
- What action the company takes if an employee breaches any part of the policy.
- What the company commits to for its employees.