Two of my employees in a relationship

[GameOfJones]

I have been informed by another colleague that two people I manage (in the same, small team) are in a relationship. I'm not surprised at all as I had noticed a bit of flirting and I'm genuinely happy for them. They are both great people and great employees.

We have a workplace relationships policy that says you should declare any relationship and that you cannot manage someone that you're in a relationship with. That's not the case here, they are on an equal level at work.

I'm slightly concerned about it effecting team dynamics or what happens if the relationship doesn't work out but I genuinely don't want to lose either of them as employees.

What would you do? I don't officially know as neither of them have told me.

I’ve worked with people in relationships at work, both managers and peers. It’s awkward imo. The dynamics are always different. The managers together used to play favourites etc

Keep a close eye on the colleague who told you.

There’s nothing you can do other than to encourage them to declare it if it’s still going on in a couple of months.

why did colleague tell you? Is the relationship causing that colleague some issues professionally? Or is s/he jealous or a gossip?

At what point is it a 'relationship' and not just a friendship?
Remember friend, boyfriend have no legal status.

I'd leave them alone until they get serious about each other and make their relationship formal ie move in together or get engaged.

If you say or do anything and they split up then you could have caused a load of issues for nothing

Frankly I would be more concerned about the gossipy backstabber who decided to stir things by telling you about them.

Me too. What an arse.

Your colleague has put you in a difficult position. Before they told you, you had plausible deniability however now you cannot say you were unaware as they can say they told you. Your company has a policy on relationships so is it you they have to declare the relationship to or is it HR? If it is you I would suggest you have a quiet word along the lines of you have been made aware of the relationship but you have no issues as neither reports to the other as long as it does not impact work. Out of interest how big is your team and if the relationship continues and they start to request same leave for holidays etc. can the team function with them both off at the same time. If not perhaps you need to highlight this also. If it is HR they need to alert them perhaps tell them you know and ask them to declare it.

"I have been informed "
In email or writing? Then go to HR if we are in 1984 and you are Big Brother.. Otherwise this is nothing but gossip and you should ignore it.

That's probably the best advice actually.

Because it is complete gossip.

Also what is defined as "in a relationship" to me that means something more than just a friendship, girlFRIEND, boyFRIEND is just that legally a friend which has no formal link.

I would define relationship as when people move in together or getting married.

Can’t you? It’s just hearsay.

You do nothing, they're grown ups who can do what they want and they don't need your permission. Regardless of company policy, as long as there's no conflict of interest, the company has no rights to demand to know.
I work in HR and I'd ignore it unless there was an issue being caused.