For many of us in our mid-20s and beyond, work feels like a second home. You spend long hours with the same team, and naturally, you build friendships, rivalries, and sometimes even those “work husband/wife” connections. These relationships can make your job feel rewarding and comfortable—or they can turn your workplace into a place you dread. While some situations are beyond our control, others depend on the choices we make about the connections we build. Here are a few workplace relationships worth avoiding:
1. The Supervisor’s Spy
Every workplace has that one person who reports back to the boss about every little thing. They believe being the “informant” will earn them promotions or favor, but the reality is different. Colleagues won’t trust or respect you if you’re known for throwing others under the bus. Even managers may appreciate the updates but won’t fully trust someone who plays both sides. Being labeled the “spy” isolates you, and eventually, you’ll find yourself in a work environment where no one wants to collaborate with you.
2. Mixing Business with Pleasure
We’ve all heard the saying: don’t mix business with pleasure. But in practice, it’s trickier than it sounds. When favors are exchanged at work—whether that’s sneaking resources across departments or offering special treatment in return for perks—the company suffers in the long run. What might feel harmless in the moment can contribute to financial losses or even layoffs later.
Then there’s the obvious side: using romantic or sexual favors for promotions or perks. This is risky territory. Not only can it cost you your job if discovered, but power dynamics usually mean the lower-ranked employee suffers the harshest consequences. And let’s be real—sooner or later, someone new will come along and replace those “benefits” you thought were guaranteed.
3. Office Romances
Falling for someone at work is easy—you spend more hours with colleagues than with family or friends. At first, it feels exciting and harmless. But after the honeymoon phase, jealousy, misunderstandings, and personal drama can spill into your professional life. Breakups make it even worse: awkward silences, visible tension, and fractured teamwork can damage not only your relationship but your career. And when your ex inevitably moves on with someone new, resentment can create unnecessary enemies in the workplace.
Bottom line: Healthy professional bonds can make your career fulfilling. But certain workplace relationships—spying, inappropriate exchanges, or complicated romances—can derail both your reputation and growth. At this stage in life, your career should take priority, and keeping boundaries at work will help you build an environment that’s both supportive and sustainable.