Legal Question in Employment Law in Utah

Workplace Relationships

I am currentely in a relationship with a coworker. We work in seperate departments and only converse during our designated break times. We have both been approached by company officers and told that if we are seen together we will lose our positions with the company, including break times. Our relationship has not interferred with our performance nor attendance. I am wondering do they have any grounds for dismissing us?


Asked on 4/19/00, 4:19 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Alvin Lundgren Alvin R. Lundgren, L.C.

Re: Workplace Relationships

Probably not. However many firms have employee manuals & rules which prohibit nepotism i.e., people who are related or married from being employed at the firm, and sometimes the rules are extended to prohibit dating. Look at your company's employee manual to find out if there are any published rules about this subject at the company. Since you have been approached by superiors, they must be aware of your relationship, and their failure to take any action such as writing you up is tacit approval. Keep a record of who, when and what witnesses to these conversations. Then if something happens you may have a defense. Normally you would have to be written up at least once - or some other formal warning.

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Answered on 4/28/00, 10:53 pm


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