Love, Ambition, or Both? New SHRM Research Reveals the Motivations Behind Workplace Romance

ALEXANDRIA, Va.– Today, SHRM, the trusted authority on all things work, released new research revealing the motivations and behaviors behind workplace romances. With more than half of U.S. workers having been in or currently involved a workplace romance, the findings provide critical insights for organizations aiming to navigate these relationships effectively.

SHRM’s 2025 Workplace Romance research highlights a nuanced perspective on how personal and professional lives intersect. The research found the recorded workplace relationships were evenly split between official and casual, with 54% involving peers. 

“Workplace romances are an inherent part of the professional world, but they bring unique challenges,” said Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, President and CEO of SHRM. “This research underscores the need for clear policies, effective training, and an organizational culture fostering transparency and fairness. By addressing these dynamics thoughtfully, organizations can minimize risks while respecting employees' personal connections.”

Key Findings

• Workplace Dynamics: 
  • There has been a decline in workplace crushes, dropping from 49% in 2024 to 22% in 2025. 
  • Despite this, dating behaviors have remained relatively consistent, with 16% of workers reporting they went on a date with a colleague in the past year as compared to 21% in 2024
• Motivations Behind Workplace Romances: 
  • Love-related motivations were cited as extremely or very important by 53% of workers who are currently in or have been in a workplace romance. 
  • 29% of the surveyed workers who are currently or have been in a romantic workplace relationship cited job-related motivations as a key factor. 
• Risky Romantic Encounters:
  • 23% of U.S. workers say they knew someone who had a risky romantic encounter in the workplace in the past year.
  • In 2024, 13% of U.S. workers reported experiencing a risky romantic encounter in the workplace in the past year, but in 2025, that figure declined to 7%.
• Managerial Preparedness: 
  • Managers report high levels of confidence in addressing workplace romances within the teams they supervise, with 77% feeling prepared and 67% agreeing their organization provides sufficient resources to handle such situations. 
  • Nearly 80% of managers who dealt with workplace romances in their teams said they managed them effectively.

HR’s Role in Navigating Workplace Relationships:

• Training and Resources: 
  • 59% of HR professionals agree they have received sufficient training to handle workplace romances disclosed by the individuals involved.
  • Similarly, 54% feel prepared to address workplace romances reported by third parties.
• Concerns Over Fairness: 
  • 68% of HR professionals identified perceptions of favoritism, or unfair treatment, and 61% identified potential conflicts of interest as primary concerns surrounding workplace romances. 
  • Interestingly, only 10% of HR professionals viewed potential harm to the organization’s public image or reputation as a significant concern.

Methodology

U.S. Workers: A sample of 1,071 US-based workers was surveyed from December 16 to December 19, 2024, using a third-party online panel. For the purposes of this study, participants were required to be employed by an organization. Those who were self-employed, retired, or an independent contractor did not qualify. Data is unweighted.

HR Professionals: A sample of 2,283 HR professionals was surveyed from December 17 to December 20, 2024, using the SHRM Voice of Work panel. Data is unweighted.

About SHRM

SHRM is a member-driven catalyst for creating better workplaces where people and businesses thrive together. As the trusted authority on all things work, SHRM is the foremost expert, researcher, advocate, and thought leader on issues and innovations impacting today’s evolving workplaces. With nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries, SHRM touches the lives of more than 362 million workers and their families globally. Discover more at SHRM.org.