Corporations in the USA have been attempting to limit clandestine workplace relationships since the emergence of the #MeToo movement in 2017. Now, consensual relationships can lead to disciplinary action and even dismissal if they have not been disclosed to company managers.

In December, Blackrock announced the dismissal of two male executives who failed to disclose consensual relationships with subordinates.

In an internal memo last week, seen by The Times, Manish Mehta and Chris Meade, respectively global head of human resources and chief legal officer, detailed a new “relationships at work” policy.

The policy urges employees to report to their managers any relationship that might cause a conflict of interest, rather than determining for themselves whether a conflict exists.

Staff must disclose “all personal relationships with other Blackrock employees or contingent workers, as well as personal relationships with employees of a service provider, vendor, or other third party (including a client), if the non-Blackrock employee is within a group that interacts with Blackrock”.

If an employee discloses a personal relationship, it is assessed as to whether it might create an actual or perceived conflict of interest. As a result, “Alternative work arrangements” may be put in place.