Fraternization
Brian Bettencourt College of the Sequoias
Fraternization
What are the implications of being a “loner” or of close fraternization on/off the job?
Presented by: Christopher Bailey, Daniel Dinis, Levi White, Jaden Alvarado, and Larry Knight
According to The American Heritage Dictionary, “to fraternize is to associate with others in a brotherly or congenial way (“Fraternize”).” It also states a loner is “one who avoids the company of others (“Loner”).” In the workplace, there are many implications of being a loner, or of close fraternization on, and off, the job. The perception of you from those in the workplace affects promotions, a firm’s communication culture, formation of cliques, and dating. An organization’s policies may also have rules governing workplace fraternization. We will focus on these areas. So how does being an office loner or fraternizing with other employees apply to an organization’s policies?
Due to experience and evidence of how fraternization affects the workplace, many organizations have an outlined policy. These policies promote, discourage, or regulate how employees may interact with each other on, and off, the job. These policies can lead to a culture that loners thrive in or an environment where they are subject to prejudice. The guidelines set forth by companies are to prevent “worst case” scenarios from occurring and to try to limit potential litigation.
Some of the most notable fraternization policies are implemented in the military; they outline how enlisted men and women are able to fraternize as well as the consequences of going against the policies in place. Generally, the concern is of fraternization between an officer and an enlisted member. According to Assistant Inspector General, SFC Cameron Held, such fraternization may diminish the “leadership climate of the unit and developing disciplined and
Fraternization
What are the implications of being a “loner” or of close fraternization on/off the job?
Presented by: Christopher Bailey, Daniel Dinis, Levi White, Jaden Alvarado, and Larry Knight
According to The American Heritage Dictionary, “to fraternize is to associate with others in a brotherly or congenial way (“Fraternize”).” It also states a loner is “one who avoids the company of others (“Loner”).” In the workplace, there are many implications of being a loner, or of close fraternization on, and off, the job. The perception of you from those in the workplace affects promotions, a firm’s communication culture, formation of cliques, and dating. An organization’s policies may also have rules governing workplace fraternization. We will focus on these areas. So how does being an office loner or fraternizing with other employees apply to an organization’s policies?
Due to experience and evidence of how fraternization affects the workplace, many organizations have an outlined policy. These policies promote, discourage, or regulate how employees may interact with each other on, and off, the job. These policies can lead to a culture that loners thrive in or an environment where they are subject to prejudice. The guidelines set forth by companies are to prevent “worst case” scenarios from occurring and to try to limit potential litigation.
Some of the most notable fraternization policies are implemented in the military; they outline how enlisted men and women are able to fraternize as well as the consequences of going against the policies in place. Generally, the concern is of fraternization between an officer and an enlisted member. According to Assistant Inspector General, SFC Cameron Held, such fraternization may diminish the “leadership climate of the unit and developing disciplined and
Bibliography: "Cross Culture Communication." Mindtools.com. Mind Tools Ltd, 10 Jan. 2012. Web. 7 Mar. 2012. <http;//www.mindtools.com/commskll/cross-cultural-communication.htm>. "Fraternize." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 01 Apr. 2012. Dictionary.com <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Fraternize>. Gray, Tom. "Workplace Cliques:Coping with the Toxix, Joining the Healthy." Achievesolution.net. Achieve Solutions. Web. 7 Mar. 2012. <http://www.achievesolutions.net/achievesolutions/en/content.do?contentld=18103>. Held, SFC Cameron. "Fraternization: Unprofessional Relationships Can Compromise Chain of Command - News - Fort Hood Sentinel." Fort Hood Sentinel Newspaper. Fort Hood, 10 Mar. 2011. Web. 10 Mar. 2012. http://www.forthoodsentinel.com/story.php?id=6122. "Loner." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 01 Apr. 2012. Dictionary.com <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Loner>. Penn, Sharon. "Cultural Communication Barriers in the Workplace." Smallbuisness.chron.com. Demand Media, 7 Feb. 2012. Web. 7 Mar. 2012. <http://smallbuisness.chron,com/cultural-communication-barriers-workplace-13888.html>. "Regulating Work Place Romances." Law Library | Legal Professional. Thomson Reuters, n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2012. http://library.findlaw.com/2000/Dec/8/128619.html. Vogt, Peter. "Understand the Inner Life of Workplace Introverts." Monster.com. Monster Worldwide, Inc. Web. 1 Apr. 2010. http://career-advice.monster.com/in-the-office/workplace-issues/understand-workplace-introverts/article.aspx. Walker, Jena. "Cliques in the Workplace." Wrytestuff.com. Jena Walker, 2006. Web. 7 Mar. 2012. <http://jena.wrytestuff.com?swa58997.htm>. Westphall, Michele. "Mixing Business and Pleasure: Dating in the Workplace: HR Human Resources." HR.COM - The Human Resources Social Network. HR Solutions, Inc., 14 Feb. 2009. Web. 28 Apr. 2012. http://www.hr.com/en?t=/contentManager/onStory_print&s=86Qs8sL4fZBbntGX&StoryID=1234308079147&ParentID=1116442772712.