The Workplace as a Cheating Hotspot

There was a time when the office or the workplace was just a place to earn a living. There was not much social interaction to contend with between members of the opposite sex because men occupied "men's jobs" while women occupied "women's jobs". Social activities after work were usually confined to all-boys-nightout or all-girls-nightout. As the career field was levelled to welcome employees from both sexes, opportunities and situations never before imagined in the workplace arose. These included opportunities to engage in extramarital affairs in the office.

It would be absurd to even suggest that we go back to the way it was because that is not the solution. We cannot always control the environment in our workplaces but we can prevent ourselves from engaging in workplace infidelity. It doesn't matter if everyone else is doing it, what matters is that you take responsibility for yourself and not do it.

Never commit the mistake of underestimating the uncanny ability of cheating to strike when least expected. You may actually believe that you are above such thoughts and actions only to find yourself in the middle of a messy office relationship. You need to understand how it can happen so that you can protect yourself.

The work environment creates situations that cultivates closeness among peers who are forced to share interests, work problems, and even the boss. Some inadvertently create personal attachments that are clearly beyond the boundaries of friendships and official work relationships. An office relationship is especially attractive because it forms an illusion of perfection and happiness when compared to a marriage subjected to the ugly realities of life.