First published on Friday, February 9, 2024
Last updated on Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Valentine’s Day this year falls on a Saturday so if you work the typical Monday – Friday schedule, your staff won’t be in. And if your business is open seven days a week, you can expect a good number of your staff to book the day off.
Whether or not the romantic holiday will be spent under your businesses' roof, you still need to keep your eyes peeled for workplace romance! So, if you need guidance around employment law and relationships at work, you’re in the right place.
Is romance in the workplace allowed?
The prospect of blossoming love is usually something to celebrate, and since most workers spend most of their time in the workplace, it’s not unusual for sparks to fly leading to workplace romances between your coworkers. But it can be risky for you as an employer.
There’s nothing in employment law that strictly bans workplace relationships, but they must be managed with care.
Romantic work relationships can quickly become complicated and potentially inappropriate. That’s why it’s crucial to set boundaries and ground rules for workplace relationships to avoid harassment claims and avoid complicated and potentially legally risky workplace situations.
So, what can you do to stop Cupid’s arrow from piercing the peace at work?
To avoid the dreaded awkward conversations, here are a couple of tips for managers this February and beyond.
Tip 1. Stay alert to unwanted workplace advances
Behaviour that might seem innocent, like passing a note to a co-worker or buying gifts and sending cards, can quickly escalate. Unrequited love—AKA unwanted advances—could leave your staff feeling uncomfortable and needing to report it to you as harassment.
This could lead to some awkward and unwanted conversations with your staff. And if you’re unsure how to handle tricky situations like this, even if an in-office romance isn’t on the cards, it’s always best to get expert advice and professional answers to your questions.
Tip 2. Prepare schedules ahead of time in case staff get swept off their feet
If absence trends show anything, it’s that staff will tend to book time off around long weekends or significant holidays and Valentines Day is no exception. If you fail to plan for a spike in vacation requests, it could mess with your productivity.
A great way to combat this is by having a clear vacation request process and communicating it early with your team.
So this year, be sure your vacation management process is flawless, and you have a reliable staff scheduling system.
Tip 3. Manage expectations around coupling up on work socials
Arranging a work social event around this date? Remember your staff have free reign in their social lives and what they do outside of work is up to them.
But when it’s under your watch or on your time, make sure your employee handbook clearly states rules for professional conduct at work events even if they’re in a disclosed workplace relationship.
Doing this will help set the tone and reduce the chances of potential unwanted romantic advances and slips in self-control.
Staying compliant this Valentines Day and beyond with BrightHR
Don’t let the season of love turn into compliance woes for your business. Managing romance in the workplace is often tricky but with the right support and backing from employment relations experts, you can avoid a messy breakup with your staff.
Our 24/7 employee relations advice line BrightAdvice is all you for expert advice on your more complicated HR concerns this Valentine’s Day.
Want to learn more about how BrightAdvice is an asset to Canadian SMEs? Speak to one of our experts today!
