An anonymously managed Instagram account called "Dear White Staffers" features stories from the Capitol's workforce about low pay, unreasonable hours and discrimination toward employees of color, among other issues. Former and current employees talk anonymously about their experiences, with one describing the outpouring on Instagram as "so cathartic, and it's so bleak," adding, the "open secret is just being obliterated."

Employment lawyers share their thoughts on the importance of nonfraternization policies in the wake of Jeff Zucker's resignation from CNN as president due to a romantic relationship with a colleague. The issue has become even more important as workers return to physical workplaces, and employment lawyer Julie Moore warns of the potential overlap between harassment and fraternization.

A carefully chosen snack just before bedtime can help curb hunger pangs and contribute to sound sleep, say registered dietitian Tracy Lockwood Beckerman and RD Abby Vichill. They say eating sufficient calories and nutrients earlier in the day can help prevent bedtime hunger, but when a late snack is needed consider a few walnuts, a banana, dried shiitake mushrooms, chocolate-covered nuts, Greek yogurt with almonds and berries, or a rice cake with peanut butter.

A university study has found pay transparency significantly affects how fairly and how similarly individuals are paid. In transparent organizations, the gender pay gap is as much as 45% smaller, the research shows.

Employees are less likely to resist change and more likely to contribute when they feel they have a voice in the plan and have had their needs and questions addressed, write Ken Blanchard and Randy Conley. "Pay special attention to addressing their concerns about how the change will personally affect them," they write.

Michael* recalls the day he first met the woman who would later become his wife. It was his first day at his new job as a programmer analyst for an education agency in Southern California. A colleague was giving him a tour of the office and introducing him to the other programmers. Dara* was working at her desk when the two walked up. She flashed her 1,000-watt smile as she stood to shake his hand and welcome him to the team.

“All I could think was how beautiful she was,” he told the audience of people at his engagement party. “But someone else told me she had a boyfriend and I was bummed.”

Not long after their first meeting, Michael heard that Dara had broken up with her boyfriend. He wasted no time asking her out. Less than a year later, they were engaged. Today, they’re happily married with two girls.

Some workplace romances have happy endings like Michael and Dara’s. Others not so much. All of them have employment lawyers reminding their organization’s leadership of the importance of having policies in place that address workplace romances, as we see in today’s Recruiting & Retention story. As companies plan their return-to-office strategies, many are reviewing their nonfraternization policies to make sure they’re covered.

Statistics show that workplace romances are common. Forty-eight percent of workers say they will date a co-worker at some point, according to a survey by Reboot. The data also show that 22% of employees have dated their supervisor -- and that 84% of employers don’t like workplace romances.

So are you ready? Let me know! And to those of you who take the time to write, I so appreciate it. Every email has me smiling (even the ones that take me to task). And if you enjoy this brief, pass it to a friend so they can subscribe as well.

* Names have been changed to preserve privacy.