[rdl]

At big paranoid organizations (CIA, NSA, etc.), they actively encourage internal relationships and marriages, as it simplifies security modeling. But not really in the same group.

[dsl]

You are encouraged to have relationships within the community, but not necessarily at the same agency or within the same directorate.

In a division the size of GitHub (in terms of total employees), a relationship would be frowned upon and one of you would likely be transferred.

[gametheoretic]

Those two also actively recruit Mormons for their very-above-average patriotism. Which is neither here nor there, but hey. As good a thread as any to go OT.

[gaius]

Actively encourage how? Genuinely curious, do you get a joint bonus if you marry a cow-orker or something?

[rdl]

Social events, peer pressure.

[iwasphone]

It makes a lot of sense in such organizations, as it satisfies the employees' need for close human relationships without compromising the company's paranoid culture.

In this case--and likely in all for-profit companies--it only magnified the problem by adding another employee to the drama.