Deni Elliott, Ethics Officer
	Jeff Cable, Ethics Educator

Trey and Terra

Trey was as pleased as Terra when she gave him the good news. After a very competitive series of interviews, Terra had recently been promoted. The new job included periodic travel, an increase in pay and greater responsibilities. It also meant that Trey would be reporting to Terra.

Terra and Trey had been dating one another for almost a year.  They had been discrete about their relationship at their workplace and believed that their discretion had likely prevented others from learning about their personal relationship.

How will this new development affect their working and personal relationship?

Terra should disclose her relationship with Trey to her supervisor – this is required at Metropolitan Water District – and Trey should notify Employee Relations (ER).  This provides management with the opportunity to make whatever changes are necessary or required such that Terra and Trey do not jeopardize their respective careers at their shared workplace or complicate their romantic relationship with a supervisorial/subordinate roles and Trey’s peers are not adversely affected.

Disclosure, discretion and due diligence are all components of managing romantic relationships in the workplace.