I am requesting some advice- I work in a large corporation. My boss who is high up in the company has been having an affair with a manager. (subordinate). As far as I have figured, it has been going on for two years. I normally don't say anything about things like this, none of my business, although work practices have been very unfair, I know this goes on. The reason I am wondering whether or not to report it now is because it is now going to have a direct impact on the rest of the staff. We are going thru a re-org and in order to "save" the job of the manager, it will disrupt all of the other structure that has been in place. The line staff have no idea what is coming, but I am really worried it will be a disaster. I am afraid to even report it. I think it is the right thing to do, I just wish someone else would do the reporting. Any thoughts/advice or experiences would be appreciated!

Yes mind your own business and do your job

Agree, I wouldn't get involved.

Two co-workers involved in a consensual relationship is not sexual harassment for them or other co-workers.

What is the company's policy on such relationships, especially between a manager and a subordinate? If there is one, are you a manager or someone with the responsibility to ensure that employees abide by company policies?

Yes, I know it is not sexual harassment, I just wasn't sure where to post. Yes, there is a company policy about subordinate relationships, they are absolutely prohibited. And yes, I am a manager so my problem is that I worry that it is putting my job at risk for NOT reporting it. And I understand the other two replies "to mind my business and do my job". Which is what I do everyday. I am very good at my job, well respected and get excellent performance reviews. There is nothing personal about any of this. In the past it was only the managers who were being treated unfairly, which in management you shrug your shoulders and move on. But now that the direct line staff will be impacted, I think I may need to say something. It would be horrible to lay off people who do the nitty gritty parts of the job, just because the boss needs to save face with the "office wife" He is married on top of it all. ( what a mess) Anyway, given the additonal information, I would love to hear opinions.

If your going to report this make sure you have hard evidence and the backlash could cause you problems. Is it your duty to report such an offense? If not again stay out of it. If you do report this make sure you have undisputable evidence. Personally this is not a egg I would want to crack but its your call

Keep in mind that reporting a consentual relationship, however unwise and whatever company policy may say, is NOT protected. You CAN be fired if the boss takes offense to your report.

I appreciate your advice and think that I will keep my mouth shut. What comes around goes around, eventually I am sure that will happen here as well. Whether it is right or wrong, it is really none of my business. THANKS!

I believe you are making the right decision to stay out of it considering the "mess" you might find yourself in if you reported it.

I think I would report my suspicion, primarily because I think managers have a responsibility to ensure that company policies are followed. I would have problems disciplining subordinates for violations, while ignoring violations of superiors.

If it is true your boss is going to gerrymander things to keep his lover safe, I suspect that may become obvious and somebody adversely affected will complain. Can you get in trouble because you knew about the relationship and the shenanigans to keep the lover safe and said nothing? After all, your boss is reorganizing, not for the company's benefit, but for his. Hopefully, it's clearly his reorganization and "your fingerprints aren't on any of the papers."

But, it's been my experience that when one person knows a "secret," so do others. It's conceivable that those to whom you would make your report already know about the affair.

It appears that Mitousmom is the only one who thinks you should "report" this. The consensus of the HR professionals here, and I agree, is that you keep your mouth duct-taped. ;)

If company policy forbids some sort of activity and you, as a manager, are aware of the activity taking place and do not report it, aren't you in effect supporting that policy violation? That's how my employer (about 150,000 employees overall) looks at it. Here, if the prohibited activity and your knowledge of it were discovered, you would find yourself facing disciplinary action of some sort, along with the offenders (though not as severe, to be sure). Your failure to report the activity would be considered an eithics violation.
So it comes down to this - will you have the courage of your convictions and do the "stand-up" thing, or will you do as most have recommended and keep your head down, avoiding the issue while hoping someone else will have the guts to complain about the breach of company policy?

We're just thinking it's not this employee's place to be reporting this type of policy "violation". Besides, how do we know they don't already know about it? When it comes to consensual personal relationships, I'm staying out of it.

In nearly every case i have seen the person who got involved (and wasnt) paid a price. Its not worth it the risk is too high

Would HR not take it seriously if it was reported anonymously?

I still think your best bet is to stay out of it completely - anonymous or not.

I would keep away from it like it is radioactive.

There is nothing to gain...

Yes, it is probably proper to report the behavior. Then, one of three things happens.

1) The offending parties are termed for their relationship. The OP is seen as a narc within the organization and, since the info doesn't reach the level of whistleblowing (insert your own joke here), the OP gets term as "part of the reorg".

2) The offending parties are forced to kill the relationship but to keep their jobs. Now, there is a manager with a shattered emotional state looking for blood. Back to "part of the reorg".

3) The offending parties walk away with a spank on the wrist. See #2 under "guess who's turn it is NOW".

Sorry, I have been here. No, not on that side.

There is no good way.... eventually, someone will let something slip.

Most HR people I know, including myself, take little to no notice of anonymous reports.