MODULE 27: Company Perspective: Sexual Harassment and
Workplace Dating
Core Module Issues:
• Should companies seek to prevent employees from becoming
romantically involved by creating no dating policies?
• If so, what should the consequences be if workers do become involved?
Module Teaching Notes
This is the first of a pair of modules that will look at sexual harassment. The next module has a video clip
that goes along with it. I’d suggest setting both of them up here by describing sexual harassment law, and
then mostly introducing the next one with the video.
So, first note that sexual harassment is a type of gender discrimination that the Supreme Court recognized
in the 1980s.
Then, describe the two types of sexual harassment lawsuits:
1. Quid pro quo cases, in which a manager or other “boss– type” person tries to solicit sexual favors in
return for job security, a promotion, a raise, etc.
2. Hostile work environment cases, in which a “sexually charged atmosphere” exists in an office. The
atmosphere might be created by sexual comments or conversations, dirty jokes or emails, a coworker being
asked out on dates repeatedly, and other interactions.
Many companies are frankly afraid of sexual harassment cases for their potential cost in dollars and bad
publicity. Strong policies have been put in place to try to prevent it, and the policies are generally a good
thing and have led to more professional workplaces with less nonsense going on.
But even so, some policies perhaps go too far. “Love contracts” started to emerge in the mid 90s. These
clauses in employment contracts seek to ban workplace romances altogether, or place significant
restrictions on which employees may become romantically involved and under what circumstances.
Banning a supervisor/supervisee relationship seems sensible. Trying to stop equals from falling in love, less
so. This module looks at several kinds of relationships, and several proposals for a new “love contract” type
policy at a firm that has recently lost a significant amount of money in a sexual harassment lawsuit.
One note – be sure to do what you can to get equal input from male and female students in this discussion
and on the next one. The point of an ethics class is to get “new” points of view for everyone to consider.
Don’t let the guys clam up (if they are inclined to do so in your class).
Discussion Points for Scenario Questions
1. Rate the first four relationships the interns described as either “inappropriate” or “no big
deal.” Elaborate on why you scored each as you did.
____ A pair of employees who have had a committed relationship for the last eight
months.
____ A supervisor and an employee who works directly with the supervisor that have
had a secret, committed relationship for the last three months.
____ A pair of employees who have “hooked up” several times but have no relationship.
____ A manager and an administrative assistant in another department who have
“hooked up” several times but have no relationship.
[JUST LET THE STUDENTS RESPOND TO THE QUESTION AND TO EACH
OTHER HERE. ]
2. Rate the policies that Mr. Green is considering as either “reasonable” or “unreasonable.”
Elaborate on why you scored each as you did.
____ No dating coworkers.
____ No dating between high- and low-level employees.
____ No dating between high- and low-level employees if the high-level employee
directly supervises the low-level employee.
____ No dating coworkers unless both employees sign a document ahead of time
agreeing not to sue the company over anything related to the relationship.
____ No policy—just forget about it.
[SAME THING – LET THE STUDENTS RESPOND TO THE QUESTION AND
TO EACH OTHER.]
3. If you were an employee, would any policy be likely to influence your actual behavior? In
other words, would you date other employees anyway and hope that you didn’t get caught?
A. YES – REALLY? REALLY! WHAT IF HE/SHE WAS REALLY, REALLY
HOT?
4. What would an appropriate penalty be for violating each of the first four policies that Mr.
Green is considering? Should a worker be fired? Disciplined in some other way? Should the
punishment be more severe if some policies are violated than others?
A. FIRED – ISN’T THAT A BIT HARSH?
5. Many companies try to control some things that employees do when they are away from the
office. Compare policies that try to discourage office romances with policies that require
employees to submit to drug tests and nicotine tests and seek to discourage the use of drugs and
tobacco.
Completely Reasonable ———————→ Intrusive and Unacceptable
Dating Policies 1 — 2 — 3 — 4 — 5 — 6 — 7
Drug Testing 1 — 2 — 3 — 4 — 5 — 6 — 7
Nicotine Testing 1 — 2 — 3 — 4 — 5 — 6 — 7
A. WHAT WAS YOUR MOST REASONABLE RATING?
B. WHAT WAS YOUR LEAST REASONABLE RATING?