In the wake of the dismissal of CEO Bernard Looney last year for failing to disclose personal relationships at work, BP has drawn publicity for changes to its relevant policies.

Most notably, individuals will no longer have the discretion to determine for themselves whether personal relationships ‘at the office’ are likely to pose a conflict of interest.  Instead, BP intends to take a more expansive view of which relationships senior managers in particular are required to disclose to their employer.  

While policies regarding workplace relationships are not necessarily the norm, there is tangible and growing scrutiny of the dynamics which they can lead to.  Such relationships can give rise to accusations of undue favour and improper influence on decision-making and governance.  The impacts when they end are potentially even more difficult to manage.

My comments on these latest developments can be found in the Daily Mail (online and also in print, 11 June 2024 edition).