Park and Rec and the govt. forbidding inter-office romances

Man…the notion of enacting a policy of no dating sure seems anti-ethical. Lets not get into the reasons why its there. I’m well-versed. Every link I looked at to determine whether or not its strictly legal had tons of info as to the pros of such a policy.

As if thats bad enough (IMO of course. I’m sure there are a lot of people here who think its a great idea.) in Park we have a GOVERNMENT official enacting such a policy. Mannnnn…that sure seems like it could run into an issue of denying people rights. What rights of course is the first q logical people here will ask. A logical retort is the Constitution doesn’t guarantee romance. And maybe it doesnt specifically but ‘the right of two adults to be with each other without government interference’ seems like it could be baked into various phrases in the Constitution.

Then we have “Life Liberty and the pursuit of happiness” in the DOI. Also “certain inalienable rights”. I KNOW the DOI is not the Constitution. Its still a government proclamation.

Hey…Im just spitballing…

IIRC the rule prohibited romances between a supervisor (Ben) and a subordinate (Leslie), not between *all *government employees.

Give 'em a break: plots don’t grow on trees.

Every organization everywhere has rules against superiors having relationships with subordinates.

And for multiple very good reasons.

Also, any company or gov’t policy prohibiting intra-office romance doesn’t infringe on your right to have a relationship with whomever you want. Nothing in the constitution guarantees you the right to work for that employer. They can have any hiring or employment policy they want as long as it doesn’t discriminate against a protected class. “Banging the guy from Accounting” is not a protected class.

The U.S. military also has regulatrions against “fraternization”.

They could be charged in violation of UCMJ Genral Article 134, or Article 92 (Failure to obey order or regulation), depending on the details of the case. cite

Some organizations may allow such relationships if they are disclosed to HR. (At least, this was a plot point during one season of The Office.)

I’m guessing Chris called up his friend David Wallace and found out how disastrously that went.

And if you need a higher authority, “Romantic Love” is on the Ron Swanson Pyramid of Greatness.

My daughter and her now husband both worked for a company that banned all inter-office dating. They did date for a while, then stopped, then she left and the started up again. I never understood the reason for the policy.

Some companies (esp. law firms) go so far as to have love contracts: Love contract - Wikipedia

So you’re saying the Park and Recreation Dept. doesn’t allow you to Park and Recreate?

Get a room!