Bosses want pre-nups for office romances

Some employers are asking dating employees to sign love contracts. Pic by: Getty Images

A new era for workplace relations is beginning with workers being asked to sign "love contracts" rather than AWAs.

Employment lawyer Stephen Tedesco told the US website ABC News the love contracts were needed to protect employers from claims of sexual harassment when a budding romance began in the office.

"It is documenting the relationship. You need to define the relationship. Is (it) welcome? It is not sex harassment," Mr Tedesco said.

"It also defines how they are going to conduct themselves in the workplace going forward."

US careers expert Tory Johnson said workers should think of it as like a pre-nuptial agreement for the workplace, ABCNews reported.

 "You're getting married. Someone basically (is) saying, 'We're happy. We hope it rules out. If it doesn't, we know what the rules will be'," she said.

"In this particular case, you're saying to the employer, 'We'll prevent you from being held responsible for employment issues in the event of a failed personal relationship.' The employer should not have that burden."

News.com.au, May 12, 2008