Digital office romance, DEI commitment, and the limits of workplace expression

Love in the digital office

Office romance thrives in the hybrid era, with 86% of employees saying remote work makes forming connections easier. Gen Z is especially open to workplace relationships, with 45% dating a colleague and 11% dating a manager. To manage office love stories, companies embrace “love contracts”—agreements that acknowledge relationships while setting boundaries to prevent conflicts.

With workplace platforms like Slack fostering flirtation, experts advise clear policies over blanket bans. Managing romance transparently, rather than suppressing it, helps maintain trust and prevent legal risks, ensuring a professional yet human workplace culture.

Freedom of expression vs. workplace impact 

The Court of Appeal ruled that Kristie Higgs’ 2019 dismissal for expressing gender-critical views on social media was unlawful. While the ruling does not change the law, it reinforces that employers must carefully justify disciplinary actions when beliefs are involved.

Legal experts advise HR leaders to assess the context, how views are expressed, and the actual workplace impact before taking action. Employers should clearly articulate when opinions cause harm and ensure policies balance freedom of belief with protecting others. Knee-jerk reactions should be avoided, and all relevant facts must be analysed thoroughly.  

UK firms stay committed to DEI amid global backlash 

Despite challenges, UK businesses continue to support diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), with 74% maintaining DEI programmes and 26% increasing budgets. A Culture Amp survey found most firms view DEI as a valuable investment, embedding it into hiring and employee engagement. While some executives foresee US influence on UK policies, 53% of employers back DEI initiatives, and 22% want them strengthened.

In addition, older leaders show the biggest support, recognising DEI’s workplace benefits. With UK legal protections, businesses integrate DEI into core operations, ensuring lasting impact despite budget pressures and shifting global perspectives.