Workplace Relationships: How to Build, Maintain, and (Not) Ruin Them?
Workplace relationships are like seasoning in food. When mixed well, the team runs like clockwork. But just a pinch of toxic ingredients—and disaster is on the table. So how do you establish healthy interpersonal relationships at work, what does labor law say, and what role does HR play in all this?
When Work Relationships Turn into Something More… or Less
Employment relationships are clearly defined—contracts, obligations, rules. But what about the unwritten relationships? Friendships, rivalries, or even romantic relationships in the workplace? Now that’s a whole different story!
Love in the Office – Romance or Problem?
Falling in love with a colleague? It happens! You spend more time together than with your own family, and boom, the spark ignites. But beware—if it’s a relationship between a boss and a subordinate, things can go south quickly. Colleagues suddenly see favoritism, you fear accusations of bias—and before you know it, you’re dealing with tension instead of love. How to handle this? Some companies have policies on workplace romances, so if office love concerns you, check how your employer approaches it.
What Does Labor Law Say? Can an Employer Ban Workplace Relationships?
In the Czech Republic, workplace relationships are generally accepted. But abroad? That’s a different story. Large multinational corporations, especially those from Anglo-American legal environments, have stricter rules—and some implement them even in their Czech branches, particularly concerning relationships between superiors and subordinates. Why? To prevent conflicts of interest, suspicions of favoritism, and to maintain a fair work environment.
👉 Partner Relationships and Boss vs. Subordinate
This is where things get serious. If one partner is a superior, the company may establish that they cannot evaluate their partner’s performance or career progression. The logic? No suspicion of favoritism. For example, in some foreign companies, if a boss-subordinate relationship is revealed, one of them must leave or be transferred elsewhere. Some Czech branches of such companies adopt these rules.
👉 Relatives at Work – Yes or No?
An employer cannot ban siblings from working together. But what can they do? They can set a rule that they cannot be in a direct superior-subordinate relationship. So if your boss is your cousin, there might be an issue. But if you work in separate teams, it’s usually fine.
👉 What Does the Law Say?
The only exception is Section 318 of the Labor Code (only for Czech Republic), which states that spouses or registered partners cannot be in an employment relationship (i.e., one spouse as the employer and the other as the employee). The reason? To avoid conflicts of interest and issues related to shared marital property. But for other relationships? The law does not restrict employers.
👉 Can You Be Fired for a Romantic Relationship?
Short answer: No. Czech case law clearly states that having a relationship is not a valid reason for termination. An employer may include recommendations regarding workplace relationships in the ethical code.
👉 Company Policies: What Does the Code of Ethics Say?
Although the Labor Code does not regulate workplace relationships, companies often set their own rules. This is usually done through internal regulations, such as an ethical code or internal guidelines. These typically provide recommendations on handling relationships at work to prevent disruption of the work environment.
Toxic Workplace Relationships: When the Atmosphere Thickens
Poor workplace relationships are not just minor disagreements or occasional dislikes. They are long-term issues that disrupt team dynamics, lower productivity, and often lead to employee departures. How do you recognize them? Here are some classic scenarios:
- Passive-Aggressive Communication
Seemingly polite comments with hidden meanings, ignoring emails, blatantly overlooking colleagues in meetings. It may seem subtle, but it can seriously undermine teamwork. - Gossip and “Office Politics”
Rumors, behind-the-scenes scheming, and attempts to manipulate others are common toxic behaviors. In such an environment, no one knows whom to trust. - Bossing and Micromanagement
When a boss bullies subordinates or micromanages them to the point where they have no room for independent decision-making, it creates a toxic work environment. - Chronic Negativity
People who constantly criticize and spread a bad mood are a huge burden on the team. Their “this won’t work” attitude can kill any innovative idea. - Favoritism and Unfair Treatment
When a leader favors one group of employees and ignores others, it breeds rivalry and frustration within the team. - Mobbing: Bullying by Colleagues
Mobbing is a hidden but extremely dangerous form of toxic behavior. It is systematic bullying where one employee (or a group) targets another colleague and makes their life miserable. This can include ignoring, ridiculing, assigning impossible tasks, or undermining authority.
The Psychology of Workplace Relationships: Why Do We Feel at Home in Some Jobs and Want to Escape from Others?
Workplace relationships aren’t just about who eats lunch together or who shares memes on Slack. They are deeply rooted in psychology. What psychological factors determine whether we thrive at work or grind our teeth in frustration?
1) A Sense of Belonging: We’re in This Together!
Humans are social creatures. We need to feel like we belong, or our brain starts warning us: “Watch out, you’re in an unfamiliar tribe, and you might get eaten!” Okay, no one in the office is actually going to eat us, but if an employee feels like they aren’t part of the team, their motivation, creativity, and willingness to go the extra mile plummet.
💡 TIP: How to Strengthen Workplace Belonging?
✔️ Create company rituals – like Monday team breakfasts.
✔️ Involve employees in decision-making – so they know their voice matters.
✔️ Give recognition generously – praise costs nothing but works wonders.
2) Trust: You Can’t Work Without It
Ever get the feeling someone is hiding something from you? Suspicion, stress, and the sense that people are plotting against you can poison the work environment. Trust is the foundation of all relationships – without it, teams become defensive instead of collaborative.
🚨 What Destroys Trust the Most?
- Chaos and unclear communication – when people don’t know what’s happening, they assume the worst.
- Double standards – if the boss gives premium coffee to their favorites while others drink the cheap stuff, trust won’t last.
- Breaking promises – if you promised flexible remote work and then changed your mind, trust evaporates… in a bad way.
💡 TIP: How to Build Trust?
✔️ Be transparent – share information, even if it’s not always good news.
✔️ Keep your word – if you promise something, follow through. If you can’t? Explain why.
✔️ Admit mistakes – employees respect leaders who show they’re human more than those who pretend to be perfect robots.
3) Constructive Feedback: How to Say It Without Hurting?
Feedback is essential for growth, but poorly delivered criticism can do more harm than good. If someone only hears, “That’s nonsense!” or “You need to try harder!” it’s just demotivating.
💡 TIP: How to Give Feedback That Helps?
✔️ Be specific – instead of “You need to be faster,” say “If you send the reports by Wednesday, it will help the whole team.”
✔️ Avoid “you should,” and try “Next time, try doing…” instead.
💡 TIP: How to Receive Feedback?
✔️ Don’t take it as an attack – see it as an opportunity for growth.
✔️ Ask for details – “What exactly can I do differently?”
✔️ Keep an open mind – even if you disagree, consider whether there’s some truth in it.
HR as the Superhero of Workplace Relationships
HR used to be just about paperwork. Today? HR is a strategist, psychologist, legal expert, and mediator. How can HR contribute to healthy workplace relationships?
👉 HR as a Conflict Mediator Workplace conflicts aren’t necessarily bad – if managed well. HR can act as a neutral third party, helping both sides find a compromise.
👉 HR as a Teamwork Facilitator HR can help teams improve communication and collaboration. They organize workshops, set communication guidelines, and remove barriers between departments.
👉 HR as the Guardian of Company Culture Every company has its own culture, but if it’s not well-defined, toxic relationships can develop. HR establishes clear values and rules, often through an ethical code.
👉 HR as an Employee Well-Being Advocate HR can introduce mental health programs, relaxation activities, or flexible work conditions. For example, offering regular sessions with an external coach or psychologist where employees can seek help anonymously.
How to Improve Workplace Relationships?
Good workplace relationships don’t happen by accident – they need to be nurtured. Here are concrete steps that can help employees, managers, and HR alike.
👉 Regular and Open Communication
Many conflicts arise from misunderstandings. When people don’t communicate effectively, frustration and assumptions grow.
💡 TIP: Set up regular team meetings where everyone can share their views, and encourage a culture of openness. Example: Instead of anonymous complaints about the boss, introduce an “open-door policy” where employees can provide feedback directly.
👉 Soft Skills Training: What to Develop?
Soft skills are key to healthy teamwork. What specific skills can HR help employees improve?
- Assertive communication – how to express opinions clearly yet respectfully.
- Empathy and active listening
- Conflict resolution and negotiation – handling disagreements without emotional outbursts.
- Giving and receiving feedback – the art of constructive criticism and accepting it without fear.
👉 Encouraging Team Spirit A strong sense of trust and belonging strengthens workplace relationships. How to achieve this?
💡 TIP: Organize team-building activities, shared breakfasts, celebrations, or themed office days.
👉 Fair Work Distribution and Recognition
Unfairness and favoritism are major sources of frustration in teams.
💡 TIP: Establish clear performance evaluation and career growth rules. Example: Instead of subjective manager reviews, introduce a peer review system where colleagues give each other feedback.
Better Relationships = A Better Work Environment
Improving workplace relationships isn’t a one-time task but an ongoing process. When companies invest in communication, soft skills development, and a healthy work culture, it benefits not just employees but the entire business.
