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Abstract
This study adds to the understanding of relationships and communication in organizations by studying how and why workplace romances fail – a unique situation given that former romantic partners likely still work together. Using interview data, findings revealed why workplace romances failed (distance, incompatibility, loss of interest, and/or partner mistake), how romantic partners used communication to terminate their relationship (direct versus indirect communication), and how former workplace romance participants communicated at work following their breakup (e.g., distancing/leaving organization, awkward/tense interactions, and/or antagonistic environment). Results are discussed with respect to Work-Life Border Theory (Clark, 2000), fatal attraction (Felmlee, 1998), as well as implications for individuals and organizations.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes
1. Though we interviewed 23 (18 women) participants from a variety of organizations, we specifically focused on this sample’s discussion of relational termination—resulting in 16 usable/relevant interviews. Portions of data obtained from this sample have been reported in a study specifically focused on ICT in WR initiation, maintenance, and dissolution (Cowan & Horan, Citation2017). Though 16 interviews were used, 18 total WRs were discussed. Specifically, we used 15 insider perspectives from individuals discussing their own failed WRs and 3 outsider perspectives of individuals discussing observed WR termination. No noticeable differences were observed between insider and outsider perspectives (see Duck & VanderVoort, Citation2002), likely explained by a) our limited number of outsider perspectives and/or b) the fact that all participants had been insiders by their participation in a WR.