Consensual Relationship

CONSENSUAL RELATIONSHIP AGREEMENTS

Argue for the use of Consensual Relationship Agreements (CRAs) in your current (or future) workplace.

Consensual Relationship Agreement (CRA) is a written “contract” in which the romantically involved parties acknowledge their relationship is voluntary and consensual. They agree to abide by the employers antidiscrimination, anti- harassment, and workplace conduct policies. They promise to report any perceived harassment to management, if it occurs, they agree to behave professionally and not allow the relationship to affect their work performance. They agree to avoid behavior that offends others in the workplace and they agree not engage in any favoritism (Hellriegel & Slocum, 2011).

In my current workplace, we do not have Consensual Relationship Agreements in place; however, I am certain love exists in the workplace. I have seen happen more than once. We spend long hours with coworkers that can lead sometimes to extracurricular activities, for example, after-hours get together for drinks that may lead to a romantic relationship.

I believe that it is a fact that relationships will develop in the workplace and employers must understand how to manage them properly. According to Helaine Olsen, “This issue is not going away” (Adams Media, 2007). Therefore, rather than stop it, employers began requiring the employees who are involved in a relationship to sign Consensual Relationship Agreements (CRA).

The advantages of using CRA in workplace will allow management to show proof that those employees entered into sexual relationships willingly and were not instead harassed. The agreement will help them avoid lawsuit, etc….

When you are trying to prohibit employees from being involve in a relationship at the workplace, you will get a counter-productive response; people have a tendency to do exactly what is prohibited; it is human nature, therefore, I think it is better to have CRA in place.

It would be very easy...