We get celebrities to give their take on a current issue each week and lend their perspective to a much-discussed topic. This week we talk about: Dating at the workplace
Office romances have always been one of the most popularly told and gossiped about tales, whether one looks at pop culture or real life. However, with several sexual harassment cases being filed at the workplace over the past couple of years, many an office have been concerned about blurring the lines between their employees. To maintain a healthy discourse between employees while still curbing sexual harassment, Facebook has come up with a new policy for its employees, when it comes to intra-office dating. Employees are only allowed to ask a co-worker out on a date once. If they get turned down, they can’t ask him or her again. While the intentions behind the step are certainly commendable, how far can it actually curb instances of harassment? Should office policies be made more stringent about dating at all?
Anusri S. Nair, Anchor, Dancer and Techie: ‘I don’t think harassment can be curbed in a workspace’
Harassment is not limited to people who are looking forward to becoming marital partners, or who are dating. I don’t think harassment can be curbed in a
workspace. It depends on the individual and if they choose to go out with someone. A company curbing someone from not asking them out for the second time is pointless.
Shwetha Sanjeevulu, Sandalwood actress: ‘Where is facebook talking about women’s safety?
Personally, I don’t think dating a colleague is a good idea, since once you start dating a co-worker, things get personal, and slowly the lines could get blurred. I think it hampers both your personal and professional life. I don’t agree with the idea that Facebook is rolling out, since once you ask someone out and they decline, that’s when egos are hurt. And then, where do they talk about women’s safety?
Suneeta Kanga, International Etiquette expert: ‘Facebook has given great scope to its workers’
Facebook has taken a very intelligent step, with regards to intra-office dating. We spend most of our time daily at work and we may fall for someone there; it’s absolutely natural. At a time when companies still have a ‘no office romance’ policy, where, for instance, a married couple can’t work together, it is actually a great scope that Facebook has given to its workers. On the other hand, people should try to keep office romances under wraps. Teammates could often gossip about biasness, and it could also spell trouble for the couple.
Naina Kumar, Researcher: ‘The whole idea is misrepresented, while the entire focus should be on consent’
Facebook’s policy is probably made with all good intentions but human relationships tend to be much more complex than just that. While this development is better than saying that no two employees from the same company can date each other, sexual harassment is all about lack of consent. To say that it’s okay for two people to behave in whatever way they want if they are dating, is to say that sexual harassment or rapes can’t happen between two people in a relationship. The whole idea is misrepresented, while the entire focus should be on consent.
Sourabh Pant, stand-up comic: ‘We should let people be grown-ups; it’s no big deal’
I really don’t know — I’ve asked a colleague out once, she said yes. If she’d said no, it wouldn’t be a big deal. We are grown-ups. As far as dating among colleagues go, offices have tried to implement a no-dating policy, which I find absurd and a bit immature. Treat people like grown-ups. If they’re in a building or an office for 50 hours a week, obviously there is a chance some romantic linkups may happen.
