Comments on: Anti-Fraternization Policy

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 01:37:37 +0000

Lol, I know this is an old blog and not sure if you're even still following it or not but I was in a similar situation. Worked food service on a college campus and the company handbook said I could never date or socialize with the students(unless I was a student, which I obviously wasn't). Unfortunately I DID have interest in dating a few of them, and some of them may or may not have shared my interest, but I just trudged along until I finally just said screw it and quit. Anyway, how'd things go for you, assuming you read this?

By: Just another HR lady...

Just another HR lady... — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 13:28:00 +0000

Anti-fraternization policies are sticky at the best of times. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a “written” one? I can honestly only see the validity when there is a conflict of interest in some way…financial impact, separation of duties (i.e. the payroll person’s spouse managing payroll!), supervisory authority, etc.

I would tend to agree with EHRL, if you get the job, just ask for some clarity on the policy. My guess is that the “grapevine” has built this policy up into something it wasn’t intended to be originally. Funny how rumours tend to become fact when they are repeated often enough. 🙂

By: Productivity Guy

Productivity Guy — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:18:00 +0000

What an absurd policy. I have been friends with people I manage, and there has never been an issue. Not socializing with people you work with in general… that’s just weird.

By: another hr rep

another hr rep — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:30:00 +0000

Are we sure that’s what the policy’s intent is? It would be inane AND insane. If it’s true, I’d love to see how this policy is written!

By: HR Wench

HR Wench — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:13:00 +0000

The only non-fraternization policy that I agree with is supervisors/managers cannot be romantically involved with their direct subordinates as this is too risky for sexual harassment claims. Barring any other very specific exceptions, non-fraternization policies are pretty dumb in my opinion.

It is smart to be professional at work. Let work be work and play be play. Don't give others the impression that you would break a rule for anyone.

BUT

If someone has input on one of their friend's performance reviews and it makes management nervous then perhaps management needs to:

1. Keep performance reviews as quantifiable as possible. Have a competent HR rep review the review before it is presented to an employee.

2. Trust people to do their jobs. LET people do their jobs. They will do them!

3. Revamp your recruiting program if you are consistently hiring people you cannot trust. Recognize it is not their fault if you WON'T trust them though.

Managing by fear is so very, very sad and limiting to the success of the company and its employees.

By: William the Coroner

William the Coroner — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 17:52:00 +0000

That's really quite nuts. I can see no doinking or dating, but no existence? And remember, when you meet people from work, you're at work.

BTW, I tagged you.