Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Quotes Josh Goodbaum on the Risks of Consensual Workplace Relationships

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Sep 5 2023

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – the largest newspaper in Wisconsin – quoted Garrison Law partner Josh Goodbaum last week in a column about a reported romantic relationship between a supervisor and subordinate in the office of Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers.

Asked about the relationship between the Governor’s Chief of Staff and one of her top lieutenants, Josh said, “I would think it’d be wise . . . to prohibit romantic relationships within the chain of command. It’s just a recipe for disaster in my view.”

Josh added that, although he primarily sees situations in which these relationships have ended poorly, he has advice for those thinking about dating someone they manage:

If a manager came to me and said, ‘Hey, I’m really romantically interested in a subordinate of mine,’ I would say, ‘Then you need to decide whether you want to pursue this relationship or keep your job. And if you really have this firm conviction that this person who reports to you is your soulmate, then maybe you should think about [removing yourself from that person’s] chain of command.’

Josh and Amanda DeMatteis have discussed in more depth what you need to consider if you’re thinking about dating a coworker.

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