This is a touchy matter. As an employer you like to give your group some latitude but there always comes a point when the relationship interferes with the workplace. Especially when managers have relations with subordinates. Carroll v. Emco Corporation 2006 BCSC 861, is a case of a male manager who has successive relations with two female subordinates. This gay lothario was dismissed for a conflict of interest and for being dishonest with the company about his relations with the employees. The conflict in this case is obvious and manifested itself as favouritism towards the subordinate employee. The relationships ended up in open arguments in the workplace between the trysting employees. Of note is the company’s offer to transfer the manager to another nearby location that was rejected.

This is a bad example of a workplace relationship that the Company had to act on. I really don’t see that the company had any other choice.