Methodology

Analysis (Likert scale)

1) Workplace romance-perception/experience- ques 1-7

2) Effect on Work environment- ques 8-11
3) Effect on work decisions & productivity ques- ques 12-15 and 19
4) Effect on organizational setting- ques 16, 17, 18
5) Effect on employee performance- ques 20-23
Analysis

In order to analyze the impact of office romance in the organization, we collected data
through research survey (questionnaires). A total of 34 employees at Max Media and Oyster
Advertising. Among the respondents, 24 were male, 9 were female and 1 of them preferred not
to say. Likewise, a majority of respondents i.e., 16 respondents belonged to the age group 27-35
years, 10 respondents were of age group 20-26 years, 6 respondents were of age group 36-42 and
2 respondents belonged to the age group 43 to 50 years. Similarly, 9 pf the respondents have a
master’s degree, 14 of them are graduates, 10 of them have studied till intermediate level, and
one of them is an undergraduate. Further, employees from various managerial levels and
departments participated in our research survey, including Founder, Senior manager, Senior
executive, Senior Client serving executive, Finance executive, Print Executive, Senior executive
CS, Senior Executive Radio media, Executive Digital media, Radio monitoring. Art director,
Graphic designer, Branding and creative strategist, Marketing, Client servicing, Radio presenter,
Department head, Print head, Print officer, Copywriter, Intern, and such.

Additionally, the data collected from the research survey using the 5-point Likert scale
was further analyzed to assess employees’ opinions, attitudes, and behaviors related to work-
place romance. We presented the respondents with Likert-type questions/statements and a
continuum of possible responses. There was a total of 23 statements in the second section of the
questionnaire.

In order to understand the impact of office romance, the following analysis has been sub-
divided into 5 sections, depending upon the areas dealt by each statement in the Likert scale. We
have analyzed the responses as perception on workplace romance and experience, effect on work
environment, effect on work decisions and productivity, effect on organizational setting and
effect on employee performance.

Work-place Romance- Perception/Experience

The first section of the Likert-scale dealt with the employee’s personal views regarding
workplace or office romance and their own experiences. Workplace romance refers to romantic
relationships between two people, either with a similar or different designation, employed by the
same employer. In this section, respondents had to express their opinions regarding instances of
workplace romance at their organization. They were required to choose between choices like
strongly agree, agree, disagree and strongly disagree in regards to various statements, as shown
in the table below.

Table-1

Workplace Romance Respondents’ response

I am comfortable with work-place
romance.
There are current instances of office
romance in my organization.
I am/have been involved in a work-place
romance.
My organization has a policy that
addresses work-place romance.
There are consequences against office
romance in my organization.
My organization takes instances of office
romance very lightly.
I consider work-place romance as an
ethical issue.
10 strongly agree, 8 agree, 8 disagree, 8
strongly disagree
10 strongly agree, 8 agree, 5 disagree, 11
strongly disagree
5 strongly agree, 6 agree, 3 disagree, 20
strongly disagree
4 strongly agree, 8 agree, 8 disagree, 14
strongly disagree
7 strongly agree, 7 agree, 7 disagree, 13
strongly disagree
1 strongly agree, 4 agree, 10 disagree, 19
strongly disagree
5 strongly agree, 7 agree, 12 disagree, 10
strongly disagree

The aforementioned responses show a mixed opinion of employees regarding their

comfort with instances of romantic work relations in their organization, as 18 of them were
positive about being comfortable with work-place romance, whereas 16 were not. Similarly,
personal awareness concerning current instances of office romance in their organization was also
partial, with 18 positive responses and 16 negative responses. However, we see that majority of
the respondents are/have not been involved in a work-place romance, as only 11 employees have
responded positively while 23 of them showed negative responses.
Effect on Work environment

Workplace Romance Respondents’ response

Romantic work relationships negatively
impact work environment.
Romantic work relationships benefit the
work environment.
Romantic work relationships result in
increase in cohesiveness among employees.
There will be increase in secretive behavior
at work between participants involved in
romantic work relations.
Some romantic intimacy among coworkers
can create a more harmonious work
environment.
13 strongly agree, 5 agree, 7 disagree, 9
strongly disagree
6 strongly agree, 2 agree, 12 disagree, 8
strongly disagree
6 strongly agree, 9 agree, 10 disagree, 9
strongly disagree
13 strongly agree, 7 agree, 7 disagree, 7
strongly disagree
4 strongly agree, 10 agree, 14 disagree, 6
strongly disagree

Effect on work decisions & productivity

Workplace Romance Respondents’ response

More bias in work-related decisions is
made by one or both of the participants
involved in romantic relationship.
Romantic work relations hamper work
productivity.
Romantic work relations cause a decrease
in the productivity of the participants
involved in the relationship.
12 strongly agree, 13 agree, 5 disagree, 4
strongly disagree
13 strongly agree, 7 agree, 6 disagree, 8
strongly disagree
10 strongly agree, 9 agree, 7 disagree, 8
strongly disagree