It’s natural to be attracted to other people, but knowing when it’s just an attraction and not an obsession is important. When you are obsessed with someone, you tend to lose control over your actions and might even make others uncomfortable.

More info:Reddit

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Being attracted to someone is fine, but you have to ensure that you don’t cross the line of obsession, especially at work

Doctor discussing results with two patients in a hospital hallway.

Image credits:RDNE Stock project / Pexels (not the actual photo)

The poster’s husband is a doctor and she noticed that there is something wrong with his coworker, Peggy, who constantly keeps talking about him

Image credits:EagelsEyeGirl

Group dining in a garden restaurant, with a woman laughing, creating an ambiance of friendly conversation and lightheartedness.

Image credits:Los Muertos Crew / Pexels (not the actual photo)

The poster also gives Peggy lessons and the woman keeps showering her with gifts and keeps acting obsessive when it comes to her husband

Doctor converses with nurse in hospital corridor, highlighting coworker dynamics.

Peggy also acts jealous when he talks to other female coworkers or makes plans with his own wife, but she keeps tagging along with the couple

Text describing wife’s discomfort with husband’s coworker’s behavior towards him.

Text reads about a wife’s concern as husband’s coworker gives unwanted gifts.

The couple didn’t think much of it then, but later Peggy wanted the poster to give her lessons, and when she came she showered OP withgifts. Peggy even paid for their movie tickets once and kept sneaking glances at him, which really creeped out the poster.

That’s not all; she also gets touchy with the man, laughs when he talks, and says inappropriate things while they areworking. She even shares her personal information with him and unabashedly gets jealous when he interacts with any other female coworkers or makes plans with his wife!

On top of everything, she makes plans with the couple but when the poster insists on just the girls hanging out, she leaves her on “seen.” Her bizarre behavior has put the poster off and she just can’t figure out why the lady keeps giving her gifts if she likes herhusband.

To understand more about workplace dynamics,Bored Pandareached out toApoorva Kale, an industrial and organizational psychology practitioner. She explained that when professional boundaries are overstepped, it can undermine the foundation of a positive work environment, affecting the trust between teams, warranting disrespect, and disrupting clarity needed for cohesion.

Woman feeling uneasy at home, related to husband’s coworker crushing on him.

Image credits:Kaboompics.com / Pexels (not the actual photo)

She stressed that romantic obsessions at the workplace may begin subtly but need prompt intervention to safeguard the professional atmosphere at work. According to her, an individual invading another person’s personal space, giving unwanted attention, unsolicited compliments, and having inappropriate conversations are clearly red flags at the workplace.

“In such situations, emotions of jealousy may lead to controlling behavior, who they interact with, being possessive, and in terms of managerial level, even maintaining their schedule or activities. It would be a serious concern when it leads to harassment, affecting the individual’s job performance and creating an uncomfortable environment for the team,” she added.

Apoorva claims that dealing with such situations can be tricky at times, but it is important to address them with professionalism and integrity. However, she said that if the behavior persists, one should document and keep records and address the matter with HR and the management team.

She advised setting boundaries, bringing to the individual’s attention that their behavior is making you uncomfortable, reminding them that you are in a committed marriage and would not appreciate the disrespect towards it, refraining from having any personal conversations, keeping it short and related to work, and maintaining physical distance where your personal space doesn’t feel invaded.

While concluding the interview, Apoorva also shared some valuable advice for the poster.

She mentioned, “Supporting a partner with workplace boundaries comes with a lot of patience and needs to be dealt with using a sensitive approach. The spouse should be an active listener, remind them to protect their mental health at the workplace, encourage them to address their concerns with HR, and let them navigate the situation on their own terms while being a constant support.”

Folks online pointed out that Peggy sounded obsessively unstable and said that the poster’s husband should speak to HR about her inappropriate behavior

Reddit comments discussing a coworker’s inappropriate gifts causing a wife to feel uncomfortable.

Text conversation discussing boundaries with husband’s coworker and gifts, with one agreeing to stop interactions.

Reddit comment suggesting a book to understand signs of coworker crush behavior.

Comments discussing a husband’s coworker showering him with gifts, raising red flags in the relationship.

Text exchange discussing feelings about a husband’s coworker.

Text exchange discussing coworker crushing on husband, advises wife to open eyes quickly.

Discussion about coworker crush, gifts, and documenting events for protection.

Text conversation about coworker’s advances on a married man and the need for HR action.

Reddit thread discussing a husband’s coworker’s inappropriate behavior and potential solutions.

Comment thread discussing a husband’s coworker oddly giving gifts, causing discomfort for the wife.

Thanks! Check out the results:Ieva Pečiulytė

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