I agree with both experts in the sense that Elizabeth should leave, but only when a truly better offer is found. Between Karen Firestone and Wendi Lazar’s points, the biggest difference is that Firestone argues she should devote significant energy into finding a better offer, and Lazar believes she should take a more passive approach, waiting at least until her stock options have vested. Between these two options, I agree more with Firestone. The biggest piece of evidence for unfair treatment against Elizabeth is the fact that she is advised to keep her relationship out of sight, while the C-suite executive is subtly rewarded for being open about the relationship at work. I believe it isn’t as important exactly who is at “fault” here – it was a risky decision to get in a workplace relationship, and the emotional processing could have been handled with more grace on both sides. But most important is, regardless of how she got into this position, this job is no longer a place where she can grow, produce and learn with an unclouded mind. She should not abandon the job recklessly, but she absolutely should leverage her experience for a potential better position at other companies. She should be discerning, and only release from her current position when she finds a truly better offer. What’s more, in the meantime, the emotional situation at her current job may just smooth itself out.
If I were a manager at this company and I found out about this situation, I would be most concerned with legal liability, and, somewhat relatedly, the emotional safety of Elizabeth. I would ensure that other management cease completely with any comment, especially positive comment, about this new workplace relationship. As I would with any awkward group dynamic, it is simply rude to put Elizabeth in this public position. I would next ask both parties to have a conversation, and lay out clearly an equal requirement of privacy and respect in their public presentation of current and future workplace relationships. The most important changes I would make would center around creating a safe emotional environment for Elizabeth, and setting the record straight on an equitable policy to keep things professional.
