Want an office affair? Apply in writing to the manager ....

Dear sir, can we have an affair? Council orders staff to apply in writing if they want an office romance

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 1:30 PM on 12th January 2011

It's a policy that would feel more at home between the pages of George Orwell's dystopian classic Nineteen Eighty-Four than in a government staff rule book.

But one joyless council has been blasted as 'Owellian'  after it told workers to apply in writing if they want a relationship with another member of the office.

Fenland District Council, in March, Cambridgeshire, has proposed a policy under which 'intimate behaviour during work time' could be classed as gross misconduct and lead to disciplinary action.

The proposal also suggests workers should declare any 'close personal relationship' to their manager 'in writing', if the new rules get the green light.

Dismiss and cuddle: The proposed rules say 'intimate behaviour during work time' could be classed as gross misconduct and lead to disciplinary action

Once personnel officials are informed, 'the information [should be] declared...recorded on the personal files of both employees', the proposal adds.

The 'Draft People Policy: Relationships at Work' plan was drawn up by Sam Anthony, the council's head of human resources and organisational development. Councillors are due to discuss it at a meeting later this month.

Orwellian: Fenland Council HR boss Sam Anthony wrote the report saying workers should declare any 'close personal relationship' to their manager 'in writing'

Big Brother Watch campaign director Daniel Hamilton raged: 'Quite apart from the fact it's wrong for Fenland District Council to build up this kind of database, what people do in their own time is up to them.

'If people are good at their jobs, they should be left alone - regardless of who they share their bed with at the end of the day.'

The proposal, outlined on the council's website, says: '...it is necessary for the council to ensure that all employees behave in an appropriate and professional manner at work (sic)...

'Intimate behaviour during work time is not acceptable, and this applies during all working time (not flexed off time), both on and off council sites. Any breach of this could be regarded as a disciplinary offence (potentially gross misconduct) leading to disciplinary action.'

The proposal adds: 'Any employee who embarks on a close personal relationship with a colleague working in the same team must declare the relationship to his/her manager in writing...

'The information declared should be shared with the HR/OD (Human Resources/Organisational Development) team and will be recorded on the personal files of both employees.'

The TUC also slammed the proposal, branding it an 'Orwellian dictat'.

Sarah Veale, the TUC's head of employment rights, added: 'It's quite common for relationships to start in the office but having to declare your feelings via the HR department is hardly the most romantic way to make a move.

Big Brother: John Hurt as Winston Smith in the 1984 movie adaptation of Orwell's classic novel Nineteen Eighty-Four

'Whilst it's important for employers to tackle inappropriate behaviour at work, laying down Orwellian dictats about people's personal lives will simply generate resentment among staff.

'Workers shouldn't feel compelled to say anything about an office relationship.'

George Orwell's 1949 novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four, paints a society in which everyone is under complete surveillance, their every move watched and recorded by the authorities.

The government's enigmatic leader is known only as 'Big Brother', while each citizen is reminded of the fact  by ubiquitous posters carrying the words: 'Big Brother is watching you'.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1346425/Council-orders-staff-apply-writing-office-romance-Orwelian-policy.html#ixzz1ApnJg9Fw