Personal Relationships between Employees

Administrative Procedure 5.403

When relatives or persons involved in a dating relationship work in the same area of an organization, it may cause problems at work. In addition to claims of favoritism and morale issues, personal conflicts from outside can sometimes carry over to the workplace. For the purpose of this administrative procedure, Elgin Community College defines a relative as any person who is related to an employee by blood or marriage, or whose relationship with the employee is similar to that of a relative. ECC defines a dating relationship as a relationship that might reasonably be expected to lead to consensual "romantic" or sexual encounters. This administrative procedure applies to all employees regardless of their gender or sexual orientation.

An employee may not directly work for or supervise a relative. The College also does not allow a person in a dating relationship to work for or supervise the other person in that relationship. Further, ECC reserves the right to take quick action if an actual or potential conflict of interest arises that involves relatives or persons in a dating relationship who are in positions at any level (higher or lower) in the same line of authority, or who are in positions of trust requiring a segregation of duties.

If two employees become relatives, or start a dating relationship and one of them supervises the other, the one who is the supervisor is required to inform the Managing Director of Human Resources of the relationship. The Managing Director of Human Resources will then ask the two employees to decide which one of them is to be transferred to another available position for which he or she is qualified. If the employees do not make that decision within 30 calendar days, ECC will decide which one will be transferred or, if necessary, terminated from employment.

This policy was last reviewed on 08/31/2023.