Boss-employee romance turns office into personal love nest, leaving coworker third-wheeling their jobs and taking on unfinished tasks: ‘it didn’t really bother me until it started to affect my job’

Author image for Etai Eshet
Etai Eshet • Editor
Apr 17, 2025 9:00 AM EDT

Cupid works in mysterious ways, but none of his greatest hits hits quite as hard as the boss-coworker bullseye that makes you want to pull your eyes out or hand in your two-week notice. Whatever your style, you know. It's that magical moment when their relationship stops being a cute story you shrug off and starts being your problem. Morning shifts transform into live performances of workplace romance, where the two lovebirds are too busy giggling to acknowledge your existence or the tasks they're piling on you. 

Cleaning up after Cupid's little workplace experiment is just another day on the clock.

The awkwardness of third-wheeling through daily tasks really sounds pretty unbearable. I mean, the honeymoon phase at the start of a relationship is only exciting when it's your relationship and somewhere between cringy and disgusting when it's everyone else. But your boss and your colleague? That's just revolting.

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  • Except for turning this employee's work experience into a daily loop of third-wheeling, it is also a good reminder of the golden rule we all somehow keep forgetting: coworkers are not your friends. They might be your boss's lover, but not your pal, buddy!

    Maybe they were fun over coffee breaks or made Tuesday afternoons less dreadful, but the moment anything shiny or dramatic comes along, you’re out. Cupid’s latest office bullseye just proves, for the one hundred billionth time, that trusting coworkers like friends is like trusting a paper umbrella in a hurricane.

  • "coworker dating boss"

    "They literally wouldn't do anything since they started dating"
    via pixelfit

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • so i've been working at this local business for just over 2yrs now and a few months ago earlier this year, my boss started dating a coworker of mine.
    via nbqussy
  • i didn't think much of it because i am fond of both of them, i was pretty close with the coworker (at least that's what i thought), and it's just none of my business anyway.
    via nbqussy
  • it didn't really bother me until it started to affect my job. i have one shift where it's the two of them first thing in the morning, and i come in shortly after that.
    via nbqussy
  • Cheezburger Image 10493699072
    via ViolettaStoimenova

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • they don't really talk to me, only themselves for the first 30min-hr of the shift. it just makes me feel more awkward like a third wheel.
    via nbqussy
  • and tasks that are usually meant to be done in the morning were kind of being pushed on me as they literally wouldn't do anything. this kind of thing
    via nbqussy
  • Cheezburger Image 10493699328
    via pixelfit

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • never happened it was only when the two of them started dating and that morning shift i worked w them used to actually be enjoyable.
    via nbqussy
  • to paint a better picture this coworker and i's relationship, we hung out pretty regularly over the past year, and they even told me that they
    via nbqussy
  • considered me to be one of their "closest friends". now they never ask to hang out anymore and have cancelled the last times i've asked to
    via nbqussy
  • hang out to be w said boss, so i've stopped trying Imao. idk what to do just because i don't think it's my place, it just hurts because i feel like i've lost a friend.
    via nbqussy
  • ElitistSwede This is why it's true your coworkers aren't your friends. I'd try to keep things as professional as you can, and if extra tasks are being pushed on you, tell them it's a problem.
    via nbqussy
  • RegisterLoose9918 You think its awkward now, wait until the honeymoon phase ends Imao.There is a reason dating people at work is a very bad idea.
    via RegisterLoose9918
  • I hope I'm wrong and things get better mate but at least you know they were never your friends. Rather let that happen in work now than later in life when your down and you need support
    via RegisterLoose9918
  • s1nners_room Ask if they want to make it a throuple. Everyone is a winner. Lol
    via s1nners_room
  • kotibi "Hey coworker and boss, the last few times we've worked the morning shift together, I have had to complete xyz tasks by myself. Can we return to sharing those duties just as we did prior to (month they started dating)?"
    via kotibi
  • If they still don't get it, report to HR. "I've noticed this behavior since (date). It is negatively impacting my work because XYZ. I voiced my concerns to boss and
    via kotibi
  • nothing has changed. My perception is that this is occurring because coworker and boss are dating. Please advise me on how to proceed."
    via kotibi
  • If they want to let their relationship impact work, they can't be surprised when there are consequences at work. They started it, you end it. This is a good time to stick up for yourself.
    via kotibi
  • Usual Revenue3959 People are your friend until it stops benefiting them, don't ever fall for the friend gag. Just tell them that while you respect their relationship, you'd appreciate if during work hours you'd get the help
    via Usual_Revenue3959
  • you need to be able to do your job effectively. Of course they'll get peeved but fuckem, unless you wanna suffer for them.
    via Usual_Revenue3959
  • Actual-Inspection947 stop being friends with coworkets
    via Actual-Inspection947

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Tags

management boss workplace-stories hr toxic-workplace manager bosses work PTO managers supervisor workplace Horrible Bosses work-life balance
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