Gov’s office needs rules on workplace romance

Most workplaces have rules in place regarding employees dating co-workers. Most rules bar supervisors from dating those they supervise. That is the policy for most of Wisconsin state government. Those employed in the UW System are barred from dating those who report to them. That is also the case in the Wisconsin Legislature. But not for the Governor’s office. It has come to light that one member of Governor Tony Evers’ staff is dating an employee she supervises, and somehow Evers is ok with that. There are no rules among employees of the Governor’s office from dating one another, even if one is the other’s boss. He says it is nobody’s business who is dating whom, and blames the media for making it an issue. He says both are good employees. That may be, but that is not the point. There are obvious legal and ethical concerns about a supervisor being in a romantic relationship with a staffer. It could lead to claims of harassment or favoritism. Even if these two are the best employees ever, it is still a bad look. The Governor should adopt rules restricting workplace dating and stop defending his two employee’s relationship. Even if there is no wrong behavior, it at least gives the appearance of impropriety. Evers should know that, but clearly he is tone deaf on this issue.