Is it cheating to have a work spouse?

Asked by: Jeffery Miller  |  Last update: June 20, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (23 votes)

Conclusion. While having a work wife or husband is not necessarily cheating, the connection involved does increase the risk of both emotional and physical affairs.

Is having a work spouse cheating?

It depends on your definition of cheating. If your work wife is someone you confide in and share secrets with, then you're probably not cheating. However, if you're having an emotional or physical relationship with your work wife, then you are most likely cheating.

Is it okay for my wife to have a work husband?

So you see--having a work spouse isn't necessarily bad at all. As long as the two of you are professional and don't cross any boundaries that shouldn't be crossed, your Work Wives and Work Husbands status is perfectly okay.

Is it disrespectful to have a work wife?

Work spouse relationships are close, platonic bonds with co-workers who share your experiences and values. Public opinion is mixed, but those who disapprove of work spouses may misunderstand how these relationships work. Having a work spouse offers more benefits than drawbacks.

Is a work wife a red flag?

But experts warn that by defining these important friendships as “work marriages”—either publicly or between themselves—duos are signaling connotations that can spiral into conflicts and accusations. While the quirky phrase might be shorthand between pals, it's a red flag for everyone else.

The Double Standard (Bonus Clip): Is It Cheating To Have a Work Wife Or Husband?

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What to do when your husband has a work wife?

They are simply colleagues that have created a strong bond due to working closely together.” However, if you are still feeling vulnerable, it's a good idea to have a frank discussion with your partner. “Explain how their relationship is affecting you and that you need help understanding it better,” says George.

Are work spouses attracted to each other?

"Work marriage" appears to be a genuinely caring relationship fostered by the propinquity effect and associated with love-like feelings and possibly limerence. Some "work spouses" admit that while sexual attraction between them is present, it is rarely acted upon, but rather "channeled" into a productive collaboration.

What are the dangers of work spouse?

Work spouse relationships carry pitfalls. Your co-workers, managers, even your actual spouses or romantic partners may misinterpret your relationship, creating jealousy or making you a gossip target. Your relationship might slide from platonic into romantic territory as an escape from home-life struggles.

What are the disadvantages of a working wife?

3. Disadvantages of Working Women
  • 3.1. Work-Life Balance Challenges. A good work-life balance is ultimately the responsibility of working mothers, supported by family-friendly policies and working practices. ...
  • 3.2. Double Burden of Household and Career Responsibilities.

Is it inappropriate to call someone your work wife?

Referring to someone as a work spouse can be suggestive to outsiders, and spur on rumors which do neither parties any good in the realm of office politics. And, with persisting cases of sexual harassment in offices, it's the last thing you want if that relationship between you and your “work wife” goes sour.

What are the benefits of having a work spouse?

Benefits of having a work wife
  • Having a work wife can be a powerful asset in navigating the workplace. ...
  • Having a work wife can be a great sounding board for ideas. ...
  • Having a work wife can be an invaluable source of moral support. ...
  • Having a work wife can help you maximize your productivity.

How common is a work wife?

In recent years, the terms “work wife” or “work husband” have become increasingly prevalent, so much so that a recent study found that seven in 10 people in office jobs claim to have a “work spouse.”

What is the work spouse theory?

Chad McBride and Karla Mason Bergen defined a “work spouse” relationship as “a special, platonic friendship with a work colleague characterized by a close emotional bond, high levels of disclosure and support, and mutual trust, honesty, loyalty, and respect.” Other scholars have argued that the connection actually sits ...

How common is workplace infidelity?

Revealed, the industries serving as hotbeds for workplace affairs where infidelity thrives. Late nights at the office, long work trips, boozy office parties – roughly 85% of affairs begin in the workplace, with one in five employees confessing to being unfaithful with a colleague.

What does "work husband" mean?

a man with whom someone has a close, but not romantic, relationship at work, in which the two people help and trust each other in the same way that a married couple does: A "work husband" is a close colleague who's supportive and trustworthy, and might be your key to success in the workplace.

What is the difference between infidelity and adultery?

Infidelity, or cheating, is the act of being either emotionally or physically unfaithful to a spouse or partner, and breaking a commitment or promise during the act. Adultery is engaging in physical, sexual activity, and may be considered a criminal offense and grounds for divorce in certain places.

Is it good to have a working wife?

Having a work spouse may also help you feel less lonely or isolated in your workplace. Having this person in your corner means that you have someone who can vouch for your hard work or have your back on a hard day.

How should a wife deal with a lazy unemployed husband?

So, you must talk to your unemployed partner in a manner that reminds them of their abilities and skills. You can also give them examples of people who have been in similar situations and have managed to get their life back on track. Success stories can motivate and inspire them.

Do couples who work together stay together?

Evidence is mounting from sociological research that when both partners dedicate themselves to work and to home life, they reap benefits such as increased economic freedom, a more satisfying relationship, and a lower-than-average chance of divorce.

Is a work wife considered cheating?

Conclusion. While having a work wife or husband is not necessarily cheating, the connection involved does increase the risk of both emotional and physical affairs.

How many workplace relationships end in marriage?

According to a recent Forbes survey on workplace relationships, 43% of respondents married a current or former coworker, which means people are twice as likely to marry someone they meet at work than they are through a dating app!

Is it illegal for husband and wife to work together?

Generally, the legality of this type of anti-nepotism policy depends on the reasons for it. If an employer flatly banned spouses from working at the same company, even if they had no interaction with each other at work, that could be discrimination based on marital status.

Is it healthy to have a work spouse?

Having a work spouse can offer several benefits, especially when it comes to your mental health and overall job satisfaction. Increased job satisfaction: When you have someone you trust at work, you're more likely to enjoy your job. A work spouse can make even stressful days feel more manageable.

How do you tell if a married man is attracted to you at work?

25 Common Signs a Married Guy Is Into You
  1. 1 He acts nervous around you.
  2. 2 He licks his lips when he speaks to you.
  3. 3 He looks for reasons to touch you.
  4. 4 He displays dominant body language.
  5. 5 He spreads his legs when he sits near you.
  6. 6 He raises his eyebrows at you.
  7. 7 He leans toward you when interacting with you.

Can you kiss your significant other at work?

Most people are reasonable when it comes to relationships in an office or workplace because innocent hugs, kisses and affection aren't particularly uncomfortable to see. However, not everyone feels the same way about these behaviors, which is why you should say something if you feel uncomfortable.