When romance meets the rulebook: How cos deal with workplace relationships

Several Indian companies have similar safeguards in place, though few were forthcoming about their policies when contacted

On September 1, Nestle dismissed Laurent Freixe as chief executive officer (CEO) with immediate effect for concealing a romantic relationship with a direct subordinate. “The departure of Laurent Freixe follows an investigation into an undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate, which breached Nestle’s code of business conduct,” the Swiss food giant said in a statement.

 

Like Nestle, several multinationals have internal codes of conduct around direct reporting relationships that can result in potential conflict of interest. Such policies require employees to disclose personal ties — whether with family members, spouses, or romantic partners —