...their workers with Consensual Relationship Agreements or CRA; a CRA is a written contract in which romantically involved partners acknowledge workplace policies regarding romance. The CRA is confirmation of their relationship being voluntary and consensual; ensuring that the statutes of the relationship does not affect the dynamics of the workplace ethical infrastructure. Both parties agree to abide by the employers antidiscrimination, anti-harassment, and workplace conduct policies. Many employers and employees find that CRAs can be both beneficial and detrimental in the workplace; affecting personal relationships, workplace infrastructure, and productivity. There are several benefits that CRAs provide in today’s workplace not all companies have policies in place but they are beneficial to productivity. Consensual Relationship Agreements create boundaries for workplace relationships and legally binds employees to behave in a professional manner. A majority of companies do not have any policy in place. The dynamics of the workplace was jeopardized because several people dated romantically. This caused a loss of productivity because there was nothing to ensure that favoritism didn’t occur, or that employees maintained professionalism when dating in the business environment, and to procure documentation to protect employees in cases of resentment. Most companies now have policies against supervisors and managers engaging in relationships with subordinates; the CRA will acknowledge...
Words: 1430 - Pages: 6
...morale. This paper will emphasis the importance of Consensual Relationship Agreements. A well drafted CRA works as a shield between employees and an organization. This paper will discuss the arguments against Consensual Relationship Agreements as well. BUS520 Consensual Relationship Agreement case study 1 Introduction Consensual Relationship Agreement, “the legal name for the love contract” was introduced in 1998, in the wake of expensive court trial of former U.S. President Bill Clinton and his white – house intern Monica Lewinsky, as employers grew cautious of the legal implication of workplace romances ( Selvin, 2007, para.9). According to HRM, a comprehensive document such as Consensual Relationship Agreement is needed to avoid an organization and employees from diverse circumstances. Q1 Argue for the use of Consensual Relationship Agreements in your current or future workplace. 1. Professional code of conduct Radiations of such intimate relationships influence the attitudes, values and productivity potential of employees. The CRA legally binds the romantically involved employees to professional & fair standard of corporate discipline (Foster Thomas, 2011). A strategically designed CRA ensures that in the wake of personal interests , employees...
Words: 1147 - Pages: 5
...Consensual Relationship Agreement Leadership and Organizational Behavior January 22, 2012 Abstract In today’s fast paced society women and men spend nearly forty percent of their week in the workplace. Due to the time spent working together; many workers generate a common interest in one another, therefore leading to workplace romance. Many companies protect themselves and their workers with Consensual Relationship Agreements or CRA; a CRA is a written contract in which romantically involved partners acknowledge workplace policies regarding romance. The CRA is confirmation of their relationship being voluntary and consensual; ensuring that the statutes of the relationship does not affect the dynamics of the workplace ethical infrastructure. Both parties agree to abide by the employers antidiscrimination, anti-harassment, and workplace conduct policies. Many employers and employees find that CRAs can be both beneficial and detrimental in the workplace; affecting personal relationships, workplace infrastructure, and productivity. There are several benefits that CRAs provide in today’s workplace not all companies have policies in place but they are beneficial to productivity. Consensual Relationship Agreements create boundaries for workplace relationships and legally binds employees to behave in a professional manner. A majority of companies do not have any policy in place. The dynamics of the workplace was jeopardized because several people dated romantically. This...
Words: 1445 - Pages: 6
...contributes to the debate on the issue of consensual relationship agreements (CRA), also known as “love contracts,” within the workplace. It seeks to define what a CRA is and also argue for the use of CRAs in the workplace and argue against the use of CRAs in the workplace. It also addresses the ethical principles involved in the use of CRAs and offers other options besides CRAs that would address workplace romances. Consensual Relationship Agreements 1 Consensual Relationship Agreements Case Study What is a Consensual Relationship Agreement? It is believed that over 70% of single employees will become romantically involved with someone on the job at some point in their career. Research shows that people are more likely to date a coworker than anyone else. Even though romantic relationships in the workplace are common, employers are increasingly turning to consensual relationship agreements or “love contracts.” This document, signed voluntarily by both employees, and management, generally acknowledges a relationship. It confirms that the relationship is consensual and will not interfere with job performance, and reinforces the principles of the employer's harassment prevention policy. The agreement often states that either party will seek arbitration rather than file a harassment grievance if the relationship ends. If done properly, a consensual relationship agreement will make it more difficult for an employee to claim that the relationship was "unwelcome" and is used in managing...
Words: 267 - Pages: 2
...Consensual Relationship Agreements case Study Steven C. Young Strayer University Organizational Behavior Professor Stewart W. Edwards April 20, 2012 Consensual Relationship Agreements Case Study p.1 Argue for the use of Consensual Relationship Agreements (CRAs) in your current or future workplace Consensual Relationship Agreements (love contracts), before you can argue the case for or against them you have to first understand what they are. A Consensual Relationship Agreement (CRA) is basically a written contract in which the romantically involved parties acknowledging the following things: the relationship is voluntary and consensual, they agree to abide by the employer’s antidiscrimination, antiharassment, and workplace conduct policies, promise to report any perceive harassment to management, if it occurs, they agree to behave professionally and not to allow the relationship to affect their performance, agree to avoid behavior that offends others in the workplace, and to not engage in favoritism. After further researching CRAs if do believe my current workplace would benefit from using it. I currently work in a call center which is dominated by female employees and the age difference is almost non-existent amongst representatives, supervisors, and associate directors. There is daily interaction between all parties and in human nature there are going to be instances of two individuals being attracted to each other. Currently there is a policy against...
Words: 1802 - Pages: 8
...An Analysis of the Consensual Relationship Agreements Case Study Assignment 1 By: STUDENT NAME: Lloyd D. Gaines Jr. TO: Dr. W. D. Wilkerson Professor: COURSE NAME: BUS 520: Leadership and Organization Behavior STRAYER UNIVERSITY WASHINGTON, DC April 16, 2012 Consensual Relationship Agreements Case Study Introduction The Purpose of this case study is to examine the Consensual Relationship Agreement Case Study. “Historically, sexual relationships between employees have been viewed as private matters beyond the purview of the company and not involving special ethical issues” (Stamler, Pace & Stone p.218 1997) Employees who engage in workplace relations usually have to sign a contract. This contract ensures that the involved parties will uphold the strict policies and standards of employee etiquette. A typical consensual relationship agreement includes the guidelines on how love struck staff should behave. In analyzing the case, concepts will be identified in the areas of organizational behavior models of individual, group, and organizational processes how ethical decisions are made, and concepts of individual differences, personality traits, and perspectives. According to Hellriegel & Slocum (2011) the characteristics of a Consensual Relationship Agreement is defined as contract that set boundaries on certain office romance situations. They go as the following:...
Words: 1649 - Pages: 7
...Consensual Relationship Agreement Case Study Tracy Duckett Dr. Ronnie Jones Bus. 520 Leadership and Organizational Behavior Fall Quarter 2012 Abstract It is not uncommon that an office romance will develop between co-workers; based on the fact that majority of their lifetime is spent at their place of employment. Employers are aware of this possibility and have workplace romance policies to protect themselves and the parties in the relationship. Consensual Relationship Agreements (CRAs) are one of the policies that protect the company and the parties involved from the outcome of the relationship ending that could result into sexual harassment claims or bad publicity. There are pros and cons to having these policies and procedures for protection of employers and employees. Consensual Relationship Agreements Case Study Eighty percent of an individual’s life is spent at their place of employment, sometimes even more. Usually they are in the presence of their co-workers at a minimum of 40 hours a week, learning, growing and building relationships. It is a strong possibility that one could turn into a romantic one. Hellriegel and Solcum (2011) stated that Valut.com, an online career center, surveyed 1000 professionals about having a romantic relationship with a co-worker, with the results of 19% would consider having one and 47% had been involved in one. The relationship may start out rosy but circumstances could change the dynamics between the two that could affect...
Words: 1957 - Pages: 8
...Consensual Relationship Agreements Consensual Relationship Contracts are often referred to as “Love Contracts.” These contracts are fairly new and have only recently been introduced into the workforce; they date back approximately to six or seven years ago. (Kellog forum) A consensual relationship agreement (CRA) is a written contract in which many companies are now presenting to employees who are romantically involved, within the same company. The contracts are often presented by human resources and the parties involved are asked to voluntarily sign them. Not to only protect the companies interest but the employees as well. The “Love Contracts” are being implemented by companies to assure that company policies and company conduct ethics are not breached by the romantic involvement between two of its employees. Workplace romances and relationships are becoming more commonplace as work hours are becoming longer and the concept of “team building” is become more widespread in the workforce. Most companies at some time used to have policies that prohibited interoffice dating. Now many experts warn against such policies stating that the outcome often concluded with employees rebelling against the policy and dating for the thrill. (Hellriegel, Slocum 65) Corporate culture had to become more flexible due to the change in the dynamics of their employees. In an environment where individuals with common interests are working in close proximity for 40 or more hours per week, an office...
Words: 1726 - Pages: 7
...Consensual Relationship Agreements Case Study In the article “Consensual Relationship Agreements” it is said that 72% of companies had no policy regarding workplace romance by referring to Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Workplace Romance Poll. In my opinion, this is an indication that CRAs are not essential instruments for arranging workplace behavior. Only a few companies implement CRAs. These companies apply for CRAs in different ways. Some companies may wish to recognize the relationship and to avoid negative consequences of it. However, some other companies concern about the maintenance of productivity and protection of the organization against any probable lawsuit. It can be considered that there is nothing to do with the ethics in applying CRAs when the companies pursue productivity and a legal self-protection. These agreements are not law and order because CRAs depend on leadership’s discretion. Making decision differs from culture to culture because of diversity and ethics. In such cases, moral intelligence plays a significant role. The leadership must observe the behavior of all the employees in regard to integrity, responsibility, compassion and forgiveness. Actually, there would not be need to implement CRAs for a successful leadership. For example, unlike the USA, in my country there are no similar examples. Instead, such problems are solved by the human resources management. In my last job, in Turkey, two of my coworkers developed a consensual relationship...
Words: 806 - Pages: 4
...Home Page» Business and Management Consensual Relationship Agreement In: Business and Management Consensual Relationship Agreement Consensual Relationship Agreement Leadership and Organizational Behavior January 22, 2012 Abstract In today’s fast paced society women and men spend nearly forty percent of their week in the workplace. Due to the time spent working together; many workers generate a common interest in one another, therefore leading to workplace romance. Many companies protect themselves and their workers with Consensual Relationship Agreements or CRA; a CRA is a written contract in which romantically involved partners acknowledge workplace policies regarding romance. The CRA is confirmation of their relationship being voluntary and consensual; ensuring that the statutes of the relationship does not affect the dynamics of the workplace ethical infrastructure. Both parties agree to abide by the employers antidiscrimination, anti-harassment, and workplace conduct policies. Many employers and employees find that CRAs can be both beneficial and detrimental in the workplace; affecting personal relationships, workplace infrastructure, and productivity. There are several benefits that CRAs provide in today’s workplace not all companies have policies in place but they are beneficial to productivity. Consensual Relationship Agreements create boundaries for workplace relationships and legally binds employees to behave in a professional manner...
Words: 299 - Pages: 2
...Consensual Relationship Agreements Case Study Professor John Mitchell Lithonia Campus BUS 520 – Organization and Leadership October 30, 2012 Strayer University Abstract This paper will discuss Consensual Relationship Agreements in the workplace. Within the paper, I will argue for the use of CRAs in the workplace by explaining the benefits. I will also present a counter argument against the use by explaining the cons. Ethical principles and other options are also discussed. Argue for the use of Consensual Relationship Agreements (CRAs) in your current (of future) workplace. Office romances are almost inevitable when you place people with the same interest together for more than 40 hours a week. These relationships may form between co-workers on the same level, as well as subordinate and manager. Let’s think about this. What happens if this relationship ends on bad terms? The subordinate can state that they were coerced into the relationship. This situation will definitely be a liability to company, opening it up to litigation concerning harassment. In order to mitigate this situation, it would be beneficial for a company to consider having Consensual Relationship Agreements (CRA). A CRA is a written contract in which the parties involved acknowledge that the relationship is consensual and voluntary. The parties understand that they have to remain professional and not allow the relationship to affect the performance. They also agree to avoid behavior...
Words: 1538 - Pages: 7
...Introduction The choice of this subject Consensual Relationship Agreement (CRA) in the workplace for my research paper is very important to notice. This essay will point out the agreement between the company and employees. It, furthermore, helps members of staff that participate in the erroneous doing. Consensual Relationship in the workplace is unprofessional and why the company should take actions to prevent or decrease such an act. This article defines as an unsuitable sexual contact with another person. Argue for the use of Consensual Relationship Agreements (CRAs) in your current (or future) workplace. A Consensual Relationship Agreement (CRA) is the most important document of agreement between the two couple in the workplace. The couple concurred to abide by the management nondiscrimination, anti-harassment, and office behavior procedures. The employee pledge to report some spotted aggravation in the office to management, if any of it happens. Furthermore, couples agree to act professionally and not permit the relationship to influence their work operation. The couple concurs to prevent conduct that violates others in the location of work and accepts not to participate in any preference. (Hellriegel & Slocum, 2011) This behavior is remarkably crucial, whenever one individual is of higher superior. Have the power to influence other employees. The majority of businesses not have any guidelines for consensual relationship in employment. The movement of the location...
Words: 1716 - Pages: 7
...Consensual Relationship Agreements Case Study Kelly Glover Professor John Mitchell Lithonia Campus BUS 520 – Organization and Leadership October 30, 2012 Strayer University Abstract This paper will discuss Consensual Relationship Agreements in the workplace. Within the paper, I will argue for the use of CRAs in the workplace by explaining the benefits. I will also present a counter argument against the use by explaining the cons. Ethical principles and other options are also discussed. Argue for the use of Consensual Relationship Agreements (CRAs) in your current (of future) workplace. Office romances are almost inevitable when you place people with the same interest together for more than 40 hours a week. These relationships may form between co-workers on the same level, as well as subordinate and manager. Let’s think about this. What happens if this relationship ends on bad terms? The subordinate can state that they were coerced into the relationship. This situation will definitely be a liability to company, opening it up to litigation concerning harassment. In order to mitigate this situation, it would be beneficial for a company to consider having Consensual Relationship Agreements (CRA). A CRA is a written contract in which the parties involved acknowledge that the relationship is consensual and voluntary. The parties understand that they have to remain professional and not allow the relationship...
Words: 1540 - Pages: 7
...Consensual Relationship Agreement What is Consensual Relationship Agreement? Workplace is one of the most important places in our lives. We spend about one-third to half our life in the workplace. In the workplace blossom many romances, but the break-up of relationships is a common source of sexual harassment claims. Consensual Relationship Agreement (CRAs). Consensual relationship policy is an important tool in managing the risk of sexual harassment claims and reducing perceptions of favoritism. However, it must be considerately created and administered with care. I will analyze the concerns of CRAs at workplace, critics of CRA, the ethical intensity of CRSs from the perspective of the employer, specific ethical principles of CRSs, argument against and for the use of CRAs in my current workplace Ruby Tuesday restaurant. The Find Law website mentions a survey developed more than 15 years ago, on 1995, estimates that 80 percent of all employees have either observed or been involved in a romantic relationship at work. Employees have asserted claims for sexual harassment based on the theory that they can't receive the same benefits because they are not "sleeping with the boss." However, most courts have rejected this argument because such a consensual relationship disadvantages both male and female employees equally. The exception, of course, is where a supervisor propositions many employees, and only those who acquiesce receive preferential...
Words: 1454 - Pages: 6
...Consensual Relationship Agreements Case Study By: Steven D. Gehring For: Dr. Nasser Assaf Class: Bus 520: Leadership and Organizational Behavior Date: 1 August 2012 Consensual Relationship Agreements Case Study P a g e | 2 “To date or not to date: that is the question: Whether it is nobler in the workplace to suffer the slings and arrows from outraged Human Resource personnel, Or to take the pen to their CRA and by signing love forever.” My apologies to William Shakespeare and his soliloquy from Hamlet (Act 3, Scene 1) but such is the state of affairs for many U.S. companies, human resource personnel and office personnel in today’s litigious world. Since of the days of World War II and later McCarthyism, women have moved into the U.S. work force in greater and greater numbers, filling positions ranging from oil field roustabout to mail room clerk to Chief Financial Officer and CEO. In the meantime, the U.S has experienced a major “sexual revolution” as well as associated changes in the attitudes affecting women in the work place. One of these is dating in the work place. Although no-dating policies are no longer the norm, the advent of anti-sexual harassment laws and the subsequent growth in the number and cost of lawsuits related to these laws, have lead the majority of companies to have in place policies that review the definition of sexual harassment, their company’s rules against it and the possible results to a person who engages in the sexual harassment...
Words: 2332 - Pages: 10
