The approach of Valentine’s Day has many singles searching for a suitable date, which may cause some business owners and managers more than a few headaches.

A 2012 survey by XpertHR said that as many as 43 percent of employers have contended with issues caused by personal relationships between employees, including favoritism, decreased morale and bullying after the relationship ended.

In addition, some employees have filed sexual harassment complaints against their exes, left their job or committed acts of violence after the relationship ended. Such incidents can involve the employer in drawn out litigation.

As a business owner and manager, it’s important to know how to handle on-the-job romance in a professional way while avoiding legal pitfalls.

Here are a few tips from BBB:

Consider a Written Policy Written policies about office romance could be beneficial in providing clear guidance to employees. Should you get sued, such a policy could show that you took strong action to prevent harassment and favoritism. However, some human resources experts say written policies are often perceived as an unnecessary intrusion on employees’ personal lives and can create an unintended allure by making the relationships forbidden. If you choose to have a written policy, clearly outline which employee relationships are forbidden (such as between a supervisor and subordinate), what behavior is allowed at work and what disciplinary actions will be taken should the policy be violated.

Know the Law Certain actions cross the line between innocent flirtation and sexual harassment. It helps to have the number to an attorney who specializes in such matters on hand in case you have questions or need assistance. And remember, sexual

harassment accusations may not only come from those involved in the relationship. Sexual banter between two employees could create a hostile work environment for those around them, which could have legal implications for you. “Hostile work environment” is a legal term that encompasses any factor that makes an employee fear going to work.

Know When to Get Involved If two co-workers are dating, but the relationship has not affected their work, your involvement might seem like an overreach. However, if a relationship between a supervisor and subordinate boils over into the workplace or generates complaints from other employees, you may have to intervene.

Take the Right ApproachIf you do have to censure employees for bringing their love lives into the office, don’t blow the situation out of proportion. Often a simple conversation with the couple will do the trick. If you must take further action, be careful to avoid situations where one party is punished or promoted over the other. Work with both employees to come to an agreement that works for all parties. Be sure to document all interactions thoroughly in case the issue escalates.

Train Your Employees Even if you choose not to have a written policy regarding office romance, make sure all of your employees undergo sexual harassment training, especially supervisors. Problems may be avoided if employees know ahead of time what types of behavior may present a problem.

Austin • Centroplex • Corpus Christi • Laredo

Permian Basin • San Antonio • Victoria • Waco

February 2013

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63 Love is in the AirTips for managing employee romances

NewDecemberAccreditedBusinesses

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AUSTIN5 Elements Wellness and Beauty LLCA Computer Repair StopAffinity Cantera & StoneAffinity Moving CompanyAgility Printing, LLCAll About Vapor IncAll Star PaintingAmini & Conant LLPAnimas Well Services LLCAshley Industries LLCAtlas Realty, Inc.Austin Inspection ServicesAustin’s Finest Janitorial ServicesBaseball SolutionsBastrop Gardens Organic Garden

CenterBody Dynamics, LLCBonvu.comBox L TruckingBriggle & Polan, PLLCBritLin Fence and ConstructionBumpers RXCapital City Dog TrainingCedar Park Signs & Banners, Inc.Chuck the MechanicConstruction Services & Crafts, IncCountyWide Research LLCDavid Herbort Plumbing General

ServicesDaVinci FlooringDerrick Rental EquipmentDisability Evaluation ResourceDouble J TruckingDSE Safety Training, LLCElite Aesthetics, Inc.Express Oil Change & Service CenterEye-On-DesignFirecon IncFish Window CleaningFoodpro Restaurant ConsultingFramework BenefitsFrelco Enterprises LLCFringe Benefit GroupG & H Lath and PlasterGold Bullion LLCGreen Action RemodelingGroomingdales of AustinH.O.T. Window CleaningHammers Plus LLCHeavenly AirHometown Contractors LLCHometown Insurance Group, LLCIdea Labs Consulting, LLCInspired Iron and Lights LLCIntelligent MassageJames E. Garon & AssociatesJudy Johnson EAJY Signs & ServiceKM Capital Management, Ltd.Laura Mangum R.D., L.D.Law Office of Carl Knickerbocker PCLinscot Enterprises, IncLocal Plumbing ServiceLone Star StorageLonestar Party BusesMail and More ShopManuel’s Concrete Work

Marilyn G. Miller, Attorney at LawMcGirr Interactive Communications

MG Sales & Service, Inc.Milestone Community Builders, LLCMMB ConstructionMorris Heating & AirNemec Heating and Air, LLCOttmers WeldingPDQ PlumbingProduction EquipmentPubCrawler of AustinQuality Garage DoorsQuality RoofingQuote ComparisonsReaTxRedReflections Remodeling & RenovationsRobert Snyder LandscapeRochester Flooring ResourcesSagebrush Landscaping, Inc.Sea Tow Central TexasSouthern Patio EnclosuresSova ConstructionStreet DreamsSun West MovingTexas High-Level S/O Protection

AgencyThe Cellphone ExperienceThe Cleaning Authority - Round RockThe Swimming ManThis Is the 1! Photo Booth RentalTino Fabela PlumbingToby’s HandymanUniversal Currency L.L.C.VA Loan CenterVick’s Tree ExpertsWatertite Roofing & ConstructionWork of Art InstallationsXtreme Network Solutions LLCYour Austin SEO Company

CENTROPLEX/WACO1st University Credit UnionA & B Payne TruckingAll-State Medical Waste, LLCAsgard Lock and SafeAstro Events of WacoBig Tex AutoplexCasey Equipment LTDCen-Tex Sheet Metal FabricatorsCentral Texas Marketing and

ManagementCoker Septic SystemsD Palmer Contracting, LLCFlying P. OutdoorsJIMSCO Glass & Window, Inc.K9ClickLayne’s Professional Services LtdLee’s Pipe & Steel CasingLonesome Husband QuiltingMarsha Marsha Marsha’s CateringNita and Glen’s BBQSaiz Excavation LLCStain & Stamp, Inc.T & M ContractingTexas Quality Home HealthThe Coolest Air

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Absolutely Advanced AutomotiveAmerican Safety ConsultingAn Affair to Remember Bridal & Special

Occasion Boutique

Beinert Roofing & Restoration LLCBranded by Web DesignChemcel Federal Credit UnionCoastal Bend Tooling & Automation,

Inc.Courtyard Gallery of TexasCovenant Data SystemsDarlene Conoly TravelDiscount Auto Parts IncDL Trucking & ConstructionGolden Crescent CommunicationsJay McGovern GeologistMireles ElectricRagdolls of TexasScott Electric CompanySTB Construction LLCSteve’s Auto ServiceTexas Community ManagementThe Law Offices of William D. Bonilla,

P.C.Tibbetts Services LLC

PERMIAN BASINAuthority Electrical & HVAC, LLCB & S Generators, Inc.B. J. L. Machine & Rig RepairBetty’s Bobbin BoxBMB PlumbingEilers JR & Sons Hotshot SvcExpert Pumping Unit ServicesFrank’s Complete Home RepairJ & D ElectricJ&T Electrical Contractors, Inc.Law Office of Laura A. CarpenterMeter Service & Supply, Inc.Midland Star Communications, IncOdessa Nut & BoltPermian Basin Pony Express Hotshot

LLCPlains Enterprises, Ltd.Sheppard Memorials Inc.Specialty AutoThe Pipeline Liner Co.The Shack in the Back, LLCTR AnchorsTucker Water Pump Sales & ServiceWes-Tex Vacuum Service, Inc.

SAN ANTONIO/LAREDOA G ElectricA Touch of Love Personal Care HomeAAA Limousine & Sedan ServiceAAMCO TransmissionsAccurate Home TheaterAffordable Pet CareAlamo Site Prep & Construction LLCAll Plumbing Services & Rooter Inc.All State Appliance Repair & Service,

IncAlpha Omega Dent RepairAlpha Terra Engineering IncAlvarados Masonry Construction &

RemodelingAmer Electric LLCAmerican Health & Safety InstituteAnytime Fuel Pros, LLCAppliance MedicAtwell DesignsBen’s Western Wear IncBenjamin Franklin PlumbingBlackbelt CompanyBrush Busters

C&D RoofingChaparral FordCleaning Xtras

Cleaning ServicesClear View Eye CareConcrete Ideas, LLCConstruction Financial Services, Inc.Dacor Air Conditioning Company, Inc.DBC Tuning LLCDG Quality ServicesDivision Laundry & Cleaners IncDr. Edward J. Camacho’s Cosmetic

Dentistry of San AntonioDynamic Legal Solutions LLCFat Boy ConstructionFirst Texan Realty GroupForney DrillingFrontier LendingGracy Travel International, Inc.Grafitti Brothers Inc.Green Grass Inc.Hammonds Wood Floors, Inc.Hana Hana FloristHarvest Real EstateHelium Xpress Balloon WholesaleImagine HomesInsulation WorksIntegrity Pest ManagementJames W. Kenney InterestsJM FenceJohn’s ImportsJordan Builders, Inc.L&N Septic ServiceLackland Properties LLCLeon’s Mobile Auto Detail & Window

TintMacias ExcavationMaintenance by John Jacob & Co., LLCMariachi ConnectionME TransportMonster Movers IncMurphy’s DeliNew U Men’s Grooming CenterPage AviationPaisaje Landscape, LLCPat Collins Auto SalesPetra’s Salon & BoutiquePrimo’s TransporteRealty Executives of Eagle PassSA Benefit Services, LLCSouth Texas Solar Systems, IncSouth Texas Windows and MoreSparks Car CareSS Equipment Service II, LLCSTAM RecoveryStanush ContractingSteele Elevator IncorporatedSuperior Gravel Ranch LLCTaprite-Fassco Mfg., Inc.Team Housing Solutions, Inc.Terra Klean Solutions IncTexAire Heating & Air ConditioningTexas Specialty SteelTEX-PERTS Cooling & HeatingThe Jacobson Law Firm, P.C.The Law Office of Cesar Garcia PLLCTrevino Ceramic TileTrevino Injury LawTri County Builders LLCWest Texas Doors, LLCWest Texas Warehouse Equipment &

Supply, LLC

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I, ____________________________________, a designated representative of a BBB

Accredited Business, appoint Nancy Thompson, 2012 BBB Chair, or in lieu of Ms.

Thompson, the following person, ____________________________________, to cast my

membership vote at the Sixty-Second Annual Meeting to be held on Thursday,

February 28, 2013 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Austin.

Company: _________________________________________________________________

Name: ____________________________________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________________________

2013 Better Business Bureau Board of Directors Ballot

VOTE FOR NINE MEMBERS TO SERVE ON THE BOARD FOR

WRITE-IN OPTION:

Bobby HoxworthFirst National Bank Texas

Mike ChurchCody Pools, Inc.

Monica DavisDavis Group, Inc./Teleclip, Inc.

Jeff EvinsEvins Personnel

Laurens Fish IIIWeed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home

Martin BombaWindow World of San Antonio

Randy BrunnemannCrowne Plaza Hotel Austin

Darrell SanderFrost Bank

Heather LadageAustin Business Journal

ONE THREE-YEAR TERM:

Special thanks to our Corporate Partners!

Please sign and return by fax or mail to Kelsey Groves by February 22, 2013.BBB Corporate Office • 1005 La Posada Drive • Austin, TX 78752 • Fax: 512.445.2096

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BetterBusinessBureau Trust Talk | February 2013

Trust Talk is published by Better Business Bureau 1005 La Posada Drive, Austin, TX 78752. Trust Talk is published for executives and employees of BBB Accredited Businesses in its 79-county service area. All rights reserved: the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or part without written consent of the publisher. References to or mention made of any company, product or service herein is not to be interpreted, per se, as statements derogatory of such company, product or service, but as information obtained from sources believed to be reliable for the use of BBB Accredited Businesses and subscribers. Because the matters contained in this Trust Talk concern matters of the utmost public importance and concern in providing a free flow of information to our companies concerning business enterprises in the Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin area, BBB encourages BBB Accredited Businesses to contact their local BBB with any follow-up material concerning the reports in this newsletter or any other matter to assist BBB in fulfilling its function of improving the economic system through informed decision-making.

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Love Is In The Air............................................................................... New Accredited Businesses..…….……...........................................

BBB 2013 Board of Directors Ballot..........................................

December Activity Report....................…............................................

In December 2012, your BBB...Increased total Accredited Business locations to 11,614Provided customers with 162,712 BBB Business Reviews Handled 1,753 disputesAssisted 3,891people over the phoneHosted 336,611 website page views Sent 787 Request A Quote referrals to Accredited Businesses

Revocations

Texas-Construction-Remodeling-Management, Inc.: Failure to respond to one or more customer complaints filed with BBB.

Cornerstone Roofing: Failure to respond to one or more customer complaints filed with BBB.

AGM Air Duct Cleaning, Inc.: Failure to resolve complaints made against the business.

In December 2012, your BBB was mentioned 429 times by 59 local media outlets including…

Get news as it happens! Join BBB’s press release list at: centraltx.bbb.org/press.

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