Young workers want rules on office romance, boomers don’t: survey

But 38% of Baby Boomers disagree, saying such relationships are appropriate regardless of context.

Nearly two-thirds of Gen Z (64%) and more than half of Millennials (57%) in Singapore believe workplace relationships are only acceptable if disclosed to HR and managed with clear professional boundaries.

But 38% of Baby Boomers disagree, saying such relationships are appropriate regardless of context, according to a new survey by Milieu Insight.

The Milieu Insight survey, conducted online from 13 to 25 July with 500 Singaporean respondents aged 18 and above, found  younger employees are calling for more structure and transparency.

Many Millennials—now stepping into managerial roles—support workplace relationships in principle but insist they must be handled professionally and disclosed appropriately. Their influence is reshaping workplace norms and pushing organisations to rethink policies.

Meanwhile, the older generations—Gen X and Baby Boomers—are more likely to have had workplace relationships themselves.

Thirty-eight percent of Boomers and 30% of Gen X respondents say they met a current or recent partner at work. But as they often hold senior positions, these relationships raise new concerns about power imbalance and blurred boundaries.

Despite differing attitudes, there is broad consensus on accountability. Sixty-three percent of all respondents agree that a leader should be dismissed for either a policy breach or inappropriate personal behaviour. Still, 54% say incidents like these often fuel gossip and create internal uncertainty.