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How to handle office relationships in case they go wrong

Declaring the relationship immediately is paramount, and a change of reporting line should the relationship end is also considered one of the crucial moves to deal with office relationships

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Seven West chief executive Tim Worner. Photo: Kirk Gilmour

By Anna Patty

There is nothing unlawful about a consensual relationship with a co-worker. But it may not be the best thing for your career, human resources professionals warn.

Almost one in two workers end up in a sexual relationship with a colleague.

The problems escalate when there is a power imbalance such as the one between former Seven West Media - Australia’s multiple platform media company - executive assistant Amber Harrison and her boss,Tim Worner.

In cases of sexual harassment, there are clear guidelines for HR managers.

But relationships such as the one between Worner and Harrison “fall between the cracks of HR”, says Angela Knox, associate professor of work and organisational studies at the University of Sydney business school.

“It has simply been a personal relationship that was inappropriate on a personal and professional basis, but in a workplace sense was not illegal,” she says.

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