March 10, 2005

Expert: Important lessons to be learned from Boeing CEO ouster

The forced departure of Boeing Co.'s CEO demonstrates the risks of co-workers becoming romantically involved, says a Purdue University expert on gender issues in the workplace.

Boeing's board of directors ousted Harry Stonecipher earlier this week because of the discovery of an extramarital affair with an unnamed female executive at the company. Mara H. Wasburn, assistant professor in Purdue's Department of Organizational Leadership and Supervision, says that even though the woman did not report directly to Stonecipher, and her advancement in the company was not under his control, the appearance of impropriety can often be enough to cause problems.

"There is a saying 'A thing not only has to be good, it has to look good, and, of the two, looking good is better,'" says Wasburn, who teaches a class on gender and diversity issues in management. "Whatever details may emerge, Stonecipher left himself vulnerable to suspicion that he could show her favorable treatment, even if in an indirect way."

Wasburn says office romance should not come as a surprise, given the amount of time coworkers spend together and the likelihood of shared interests. She says research has shown that about one-third of romantic relationships begin in the workplace, and most employees think that their employers should stay out of their private lives.

"Managers have a wide range of options with which to approach the issue of relationships between employees, ranging from a complete hands-off policy to termination," Wasburn says. "A policy must be in place before the incident comes to light. Managers should understand the risks they run by allowing office romances, including sexual harassment lawsuits if things turn sour or predatory."

CONTACT: Wasburn, (765) 494-5611, mwasburn@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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