The subject of workplace romance has interested scholars since 1977, when Robert E. Quinn published his groundbreaking article on the formation, impact, and management of workplace romances. A study conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) in 2013 indicates that 24% of employees in the United States either have been or are currently involved in a workplace romance. Highly publicized examples include the illicit relationship between Boeing’s CEO Harry Stonecipher and executive Debra Peabody and the genuine relationship between Microsoft’s chairman Bill Gates and manager Melinda French.

A workplace romance is a dating or marital relationship that involves mutually desired sexual attraction between two members of the same organization. Workplace romances are classified as one of the following five types:

  • Companionate. Both employees are genuinely ...
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