The Dating Guide!
I was weirdly bored today and see so many questions on this board (and in my own store actually...) about what is allowed and who can date who. Disclaimer though...anything is technically possible depending on who you know and what HR will allow pending investigation. However most of it is pretty black and white.
If you are a.....
Team Member - Non AP/HR/GSA/Perishables Asst
Completely Okay! Go For It!
Slight Conflict of Interest - Proceed With Caution Depending on Store:
- Dating another non AP/HR/GSA/Perishables Asst Team Member
- Dating any TM/TL/ETL at another store
- Dating a TL at your store that is not your direct supervisor - i.e. Cashier dating Logistics TL
- Dating contract TMs such as Beauty Concierge or Target Mobile
Not Allowed - Stay Away:
- Dating a GSA/Perishables Asst - No conflict of interest if you do not work in the same workcenter. Cashiers dating GSAs and PFresh TMs dating PAs is a slight conflict of interest depending on the authority your store gives to these positions. In my store for example, GSAs are only high potential TLs and would not be allowed.
- Dating a Senior TL - most stores won't allow because the Senior TL may be LOD at any moment's notice, and anyone who is an LOD cannot date TMs. However your store may be open to it if you do not report directly to the TL
Team Leader - Non Senior, Including SFT
- Dating anyone from AP/HR - Not allowed. AP could allow you to get away with too much from an investigation and shortage perspective, and the HR team could give you unfair favors in scheduling, change your punches, and other factors
- Dating your direct TL supervisor - not allowed due to the nature of the reporting relationship. Huge conflict of interest.
- Dating ANY ETL regardless of position or your STL - not allowed due to the fact that the LOD is the highest authority in the building and even ETLs that you do not report to are able to influence your position (merit scores, contribution meetings, etc.). STL is pretty self explanatory.
Completely Okay! Go For It!
Slight Conflict of Interest - Proceed With Caution Depending on Store:
- Dating a TM that is not your direct report (i.e. Sales Floor TL dating cashier)
- Dating any TM/TL/ETL at another store
- Dating a TL peer outside of your department (i.e. GSTL dating Presentation TL)
- Dating contract TMs such as Beauty Concierge or Target Mobile
Not Allowed - Stay Away:
- Dating a Senior TL - most stores won't allow because the Senior TL may be LOD at any moment's notice, and the LOD will have to give direction to the TL which can cause conflict of interest. Although again, some stores will allow based on review
- Dating a TL peer in your department (i.e. two Logistics TLs dating is pretty much not allowed due to the fact your working relationship is easily affected). I have seen stores where this is allowed but it is VERY rare.
Executive Team Leader - non HR/AP, Senior TL
- Dating anyone from AP/HR - Not allowed. AP could allow you to get away with too much from an investigation and shortage perspective, and the HR team could give you unfair favors in scheduling, change your punches, and other factors
- Dating your direct report - GSTL dating cashier or GSA, Sales Floor TL dating Hardlines TM...pretty self explanatory. So much potential for disaster.
- Dating ANY ETL regardless of position or your STL - not allowed due to the fact that the LOD is the highest authority in the building and even ETLs that you do not report to are able to influence your position (merit scores, contribution meetings, etc.). STL is pretty self explanatory.
Completely Okay! Go For It!
Slight Conflict of Interest - Proceed With Caution Depending on Store:
- Dating any TM/TL/ETL at another store
Not Allowed - Stay Away:
- Dating a ETL peer - I have heard of many stories with two ETLs dating or being married but it is still iffy. It is too easy for there to be conflicts of interest during ETL meetings or a bad working relationship depending on their relationship. This would still to me be a big no-no in my district--one ETL has always had to transfer to another store.
All HR/AP Team Members, Store Team Leader
- Dating anyone in the store! As an LOD you are in charge of the whole store and thus all TMs directly report to you during that time. Plus ETLs and even SrTLs have access to modify timesheets, scheduling, AP camera room, and soooo much more. Do. Not. Do. It.
- Dating your STL - umm....duh.
Completely Okay! Go For It!
Slight Conflict of Interest - Proceed With Caution Depending on Store:
- Dating any TM/TL/ETL at another store
Not Allowed - Stay Away:
- STL dating another STL in the same district - I have not first hand seen this happen, but this relationship could affect things such as promotions and transfers between different stores. Now this is easily worked around, but not black and white. Depends on your DTL but most likely would be okay pending investigation.
- STL dating a business partner or equivalent - Possible. But it is a huge conflict of interest in some positions such as STL dating HRBP or Group Merchandising Leader during assessments or visits. Don't even get me started on STL dating HRBP in context of hotline calls!
- Dating anyone in the store! As a TM in these positions you have so many ways to give favoritism or unfair treatment that it would take forever to type them out.
- STL dating a DTL, GTL, etc. - No. No. No. At that level you could probably move mountains at Target and get away with bloody murder.
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