Should you be requiring certain Purchasing and Procurement employees to sign specialized “Love Contracts”?

Sure, it’s essential to have contracts with your customers to set the ground rules.

But why would you need contracts between co-workers?

Because it’s spring and love is in the air.

And the best way to keep your company from getting tangled in lawsuits that often run into six figures (and more) to settle is set specific ground rules and require both parties to sign off on it.

A survey last fall revealed that 40% of employees said they’d dated a co-worker at some point during their career. One in four of these employees kept the relationship under wraps.

It’s a given that most companies won’t allow one employee to supervise the romantically connected partner — but it still frequently happens.

But there are serious threats that can undermine the way your business operates.

• What happen if a couple breaks up and it turns ugly?
• What if one of the romantic pair takes up with another employee?
• What if a spurned employee decides to file a harassment lawsuit, or accuses someone of demanding sexual favors?

That’s why “Love Contracts” are gaining in popularity.

It doesn’t have to be anything fancy.

Six rules:

1. No PDAs (public displays of affection)
2. No dating the boss (or someone who answers to you)
3. No gooey or raunchy e-mails using office technology
4. No talk by the water cooler about last night’s action
5. No “dressing for dates” — business attire is mandatory
6. No pouting or temper tantrums if there’s a less-than amicable parting

Tags: procurement, purchasing