I read somewhere that American workers are not allowed to have relationships with co-workers?

Question

I don't live in the US and I find this hard to believe. In Europe they would just laugh at such a regulation. I thought the US was supposed to be the land of the free? But maybe I heard it wrong.

Answer 1

You heard wrong. There is no such law.
Some company's have a policy that they don't employee other family members and many discourage employees from dating other employees but this is entirely up to the company that you work for.
Some time when employees date and break up there are hard feelings that cause problems at work. These policies are strictly up to the company you work for.

Answer 2

There's no law against it, but many employers have such a rule.

In Europe, many countries have huge levels of government control over businesses, and have laws that tell employers what rules they can have.

The US is a free country - employers are free to make whatever rules they want. If you don't like it, you work for a different company.

Richard

Answer 3

That isn't so. Trust me, I know, as I have two ex-husbands because they both screwed around at work and are now married to their co-workers. Well, actually one is divorced, because he got her pg, we divorced and now they are divorced. He is on wife#5.
Years ago, about 50 years ago, some big businesses, like Goodyear, were pretty chauvinistic and had stupid rules. But nobody paid attention to them. My husband was not allowed to grow a beard in the l960's. But now, anything goes in most companies. And a lot of dating and affairs go on over and under the desks.
So whoever told you that might have been thinking of years ago, in the dark ages.

As to USA being land of the free, it is. We do have a lot of freedoms and can speak up on most things. Europe is much better with working hours and vacations; USA people work ethics are quite strong and we work many hours with fewer vacation days than most other countries.
Thanks for asking and clearing that up. Nice to know the truth. The truth will make you free. :)

Answer 4

I find the US not to be so much "The Land of the Free" as "The Land of the Policy".

I've worked for two US owned English companies and, in both cases, there seems to be a corporate policy for absolutely everything you can think of - from (as you say) having a relationship with a co-worker (and how many people meet their partners at work? - plenty I would say) to wiping your *rse in the toilet.

I'm firmly of the opinion that, either American companies believe their staff are incapable of thinking for themselves, or they won't be happy until every ounce of entrepreneurial skill and individualism has been wrung out of you and we all act like we are working in McDonalds.

Answer 5

This is correct. Yes, American is the land of the free, but it works two ways. Employers are free to discharge you for any reason or for no reason at all, just as you would be free to quit of you don't like the rules or regulations.

Answer 6

That is true and it is in private companies that these regulations are in effect. It is also true in the US military.
People are free to form romantic relationships but they can't do it and work for certain private companies at the same time. Our private companies are free to do whatever they like within the law. Unfortunately, we have many Americans who are stupid enough to want to regulate them and put them under government control, like Europe.

Answer 7

That is correct in most cases. It is to prevent favoritism, and also to prevent a problem if they break up and fight and make ppl uncomfortable. The US is the land of the free, but I believe many countries can stake the same claim these days. :)

Answer 8

it all depends on where u work. most places are not controlled.

walmart in the states.....you cant be a manager and date a sales associate because they are afraid you would be favored.....if you date you both have to have the same authority level at walmart.

some other companies frown upon dating co workers because it can cause problems.

Answer 9

I dont think there are any laws, but is generally a policy of most businesses. It is that way because people in the US jump on sexual harrasment. A lot of women claim harrassament when everything was completly consensual. We are just not as socially advanced as you guys are. Apparently the US population cant handle their sex lives in an adult responsibly fashion

Answer 10

It's definately not a law but in some workplaces it is a policy. Employers set this policy to avoid conflict in the workplace and to provide a safe work environment.