Aussie bosses feel the need for pre-nups for office romances

Melbourne, May 12 : With budding office romances, bosses Down Under are making sure that they don't get caught in the crossfire if a relationship goes bust - by asking couples to sign a 'workplace pre-nup'.

Employees are increasingly being asked to sign "love contracts" instead of Australian workplace agreements (AWAs).

While talking to the US website ABCNews, employment lawyer Stephen Tedesco said that when a new romance begins at the workplace, there is a need to protect employers from claims of sexual harassment.

"It is documenting the relationship. You need to define the relationship. Is (it) welcome? It is not sex harassment. It also defines how they are going to conduct themselves in the workplace going forward," News.com.au quoted Tedesco, as sayinig.

Tory Johnson, careers expert was reported as saying that this agreement should be considered by workers as a pre-nuptial agreement for the workplace.

"You're getting married. Someone basically (is) saying, 'We're happy. We hope it rules out. If it doesn't, we know what the rules will be'," she said.

She added: "In this particular case, you're saying to the employer, 'We'll prevent you from being held responsible for employment issues in the event of a failed personal relationship.' The employer should not have that burden."

ANI