What We Do in the Shadows: Workplace Romance Nondisclosure and Employee Well-being

Abstract

Research suggests that the nondisclosure of relationships may cause adverse psychological stress; however, no studies have empirically examined the impact of secret workplace romances (WRs) on employee well-being. This article uses the communication privacy management theory as a framework to test workplace romance nondisclosure on job and life satisfaction. Relationship nondisclosure predicted differences in both projected job and life satisfaction. Additionally, individual differences (i.e., gender, age, work experience, conscientiousnes and emotional stability) were tested as moderators of the relationship between WRs and job and life satisfaction. Implications for practitioners (e.g., communication training) about WRs on employee outcomes are discussed.