Full-timer diddling 20-y.o. part-timer

OK, any opinions here? One of my full-time sports reporters (he's about 35, married, couple of kids) is -- and I'm 95 percent sure of this -- fooling around with my 20-year-old female part-timer. Besides being an incredible asshole for doing this, I can't exactly write him up because both are professional at work and she's of legal age. My boss says "keep an eye on it," but that's just management shit for "I don't have a clue what to do."

 

Are there rules against fraternization in the company handbook? If not, it's none of your business as long it doesn't carry over to the office.

 

Does your company have any sort of policy about this sort of thing and does he supervise her in any way?
If the answer to both questions is no and they're able to behave professionally at work and do the quality and volume of work expected of them, I'm not sure it's yours or your boss' place to do anything.

 

Along with what Inky said, make sure that you take care of anything unprofessional at the office right away.

This has the makings of a harassment suit when it's all said and done.

 

I'd be VERY careful of wading into this if I were you.

Read the manual. Then read it again. Make sure you're absolutely familiar with all the regulations. Make sure you don't overreact to anything.

If either he or she do something they shouldn't do and you're in a position of authority, take action CAREFULLY. You could not only witness harassment material from either him to her or her to him, but you could also put YOURSELF in position to be sued if something goes wrong.

If you feel you MUST address the situation, I'd recommend a *general* comment about being mindful of professional conduct to the entire staff. Don't single either of them out or stare at them when you're talking to the staff.

If they're being professional toward each other during working hours and they're not canoodling under a desk, there's not a lot you can do. If they're getting busy in the men's or women's room, that's different.

BUT NO MATTER WHAT, BE CAREFUL.

 

You certainly have the right to express your concerns, not only as his boss, but also from a personal standpoint. You need to tread lightly, but you don't have to ignore it.

 

Guess I gotta be the first to ask ... Is she hot?

 

Pics or get the fuck out.


But really, tread lightly as others have advised.

 

This.

Make him aware that you and others are noticing the behavior. I doubt this will keep them from each other, but perhaps it will make the work atmosphere better for a time.

But as a boss you also have to look out for the office situation. If this relationship implodes spectacularly, those two people will probably be worthless to you as workers. Then what?

 

He knows who he's doing. But he barely knows what he's doing, and he certainly isn't thinking.

 

You can't quit being the boss to discuss it as a friend.

This is one of those times where being the boss trumps friendships.