Picture a bustling office late on a Thursday afternoon.

Coworkers are exchanging notes on projects, someone’s rushing to grab a coffee, and there’s a hum of friendly banter.

Yet behind the cheerful chatter, subtle warning signs sometimes go unnoticed, especially when it comes to workplace affairs.

I’ve always been interested in how our personal traits guide our choices, including the ones we keep hidden at work.

Today, I want to highlight nine traits that studies have linked to a higher risk of cheating at the office.

This isn’t about shaming anyone or turning every conference room into a suspicion zone.

My goal is to offer insight, nudge honest self-reflection, and hopefully encourage healthier boundaries in relationships.

Let’s explore these nine traits and see if any ring a bell, either in ourselves or in the men around us.

1. Sense of entitlement

Entitlement can be tricky to spot in daily interactions.

A man with a strong sense of entitlement may feel that certain rules don’t apply to him.

He might believe he deserves more attention or praise than he actually earns.

When that belief goes unchecked, it can open the door to infidelity, especially in a work setting where he craves admiration from colleagues.

When I first started writing about relationships, I noticed that entitlement often ties back to unmet needs from childhood.

Some men who never learned to self-regulate or cope with disappointment end up expecting others to fill that void.

They tell themselves they’re owed affection, even if it means crossing lines.

It might be worth reflecting on how often this person uses language like “I deserve” or “I’m owed.”

That subtle language can point to a bigger issue lurking beneath the surface.

2. Chronic boundary issues

Having healthy boundaries means knowing where professional respect ends and emotional or physical intimacy begins.

Men who struggle with boundaries at work are the ones who send overly personal messages after hours or linger in private corners of the office under the guise of chatting about “urgent” tasks.

I recall reading Dr. Gabor Maté’s perspective on emotional awareness—he often notes that when individuals haven’t learned to respect their own personal space, they’re more prone to disrespect others’ boundaries.

They can slip into office flirtations that escalate.

Boundaries aren’t just about saying no to big things like late-night hotel meetups.

They’re also about recognizing when a conversation or a casual text is straying from professional territory.

When small daily lapses become normal, the path to cheating grows much shorter.

3. Desire for constant novelty

Some men thrive on excitement and risk.

Office settings can be repetitive, so the novelty-seeker might look for sparks anywhere, including with a coworker.

It’s been noted that novelty-seeking personalities tend to chase new experiences to offset boredom.

It isn’t that excitement itself is problematic.

But when someone consistently needs a new rush, they might not draw the line at emotional or sexual thrills that break trust.

When I think about novelty, I also think about how practicing mindfulness and meditation helped me find deeper contentment in the ordinary moments of life.

But not everyone learns to appreciate a calmer routine.

The question is whether a person can channel that desire for novelty into healthy outlets—like new projects, hobbies, or self-growth—rather than turning the office into their personal playground.

4. Poor stress management

Workplaces can be stressful, and some men handle pressure by seeking emotional or physical comfort in the wrong ways.

If he’s knee-deep in deadlines and conflicts, an office flirtation might feel like an escape.

It could be as simple as needing a break from constant demands or looking for affirmation when projects don’t go as planned.

Stress can cloud judgment.

Studies suggest that high-pressure jobs correlate with a rise in emotional disconnection at home.

When home starts feeling distant, the man with poor stress management may seek closeness elsewhere, often right there at the office.

Before we finish exploring this trait, I want to point out that stress doesn’t cause cheating.

It simply lowers resilience and can lead to quick fixes in the form of an affair.

Healthy coping strategies like regular exercise, open communication, and meditation can go a long way in keeping lines clear.

5. Unresolved personal insecurities

Insecurity is one of those traits that doesn’t always show up as self-doubt.
Sometimes, a man compensates for feeling inadequate by proving his worth in risky ways.

At work, receiving attention from a colleague may temporarily boost his shaky confidence.

I once attended a mindfulness workshop where the instructor discussed how unexamined insecurities often manifest as negative patterns in relationships.

Her words reminded me that if we don’t address our internal scars, we might keep looking outward for validation.

Cheating becomes less about genuine attraction and more about a quick injection of self-esteem.

There’s nothing wrong with craving reassurance.
The problem is when that reassurance comes at the cost of trust and honesty.

6. History of impulsive decisions

Impulsivity shows up in different forms: maybe he changes jobs frequently or makes spontaneous purchases he can’t afford.

The same impulsive streak can seep into how he manages flirtations or emotional bonds at work.

As Mark Manson once wrote, “Improvement at anything is based on thousands of tiny failures, and the magnitude of your success is based on how many times you’ve failed at something.”

While that applies to personal growth, an impulsive personality might avoid dealing with repeated missteps.

Impulsivity doesn’t automatically mean someone will cheat, but it raises the odds.

That spontaneous spark might pull him into a risky situation before he’s weighed the consequences.

By the time he’s realized the damage, the affair might already be in full swing.

7. Tendency to rationalize or minimize bad behavior

I’ve seen men who say, “Everyone flirts, it’s harmless,” or “We’re just close colleagues who get each other.”

Small justifications can balloon into full-blown excuses for cheating.
And it’s not always obvious.

Here are a few warning signs I personally watch out for:

• He downplays overly friendly messages as “nothing.”
• He insists he’s never going past a certain line, yet repeatedly flirts in ways that cross emotional boundaries.
• He flips the narrative by claiming his partner at home doesn’t understand him, so a coworker is simply being “supportive.”

When we justify or minimize our behavior, we dodge responsibility.
And that’s the real issue here.

Even if an affair hasn’t started, the mindset of constant rationalizing can lead him right into it.

8. Lack of genuine remorse for past mistakes

People who learn from their mistakes often develop a sense of accountability.
But if a man shrugs off past relationship missteps—blaming the other person, the situation, or society—he’s signaling he may not see cheating as a serious betrayal.

A man who treats cheating in a former relationship like a trivial misunderstanding could be just as quick to do it again at the office.

It comes down to that inner compass.

If he never truly felt the weight of his past actions, he might continue them without a second thought.

Before we wrap up this point, it’s worth remembering that genuine remorse involves not just feeling sorry, but also taking steps to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

9. Overinflated social charm

The last trait is the classic “charmer” who knows exactly what to say.

He’s an expert in reading body language, offering compliments, and appearing confident.

Now, there’s nothing inherently wrong with being charismatic.

The trouble is when charm overshadows authenticity and is used to manipulate or blur professional lines.

As Brené Brown once said, “Staying vulnerable is a risk we have to take if we want to experience connection.”

Authentic connection involves honesty and a willingness to be seen for who you truly are.

But the overinflated charmer relies on polished lines and surface-level appeal to draw people in.

He might believe his social finesse can get him out of sticky situations—or quietly set the stage for secret office affairs.

I’ve encountered plenty of genuinely warm, outgoing people.

But I’ve also known men who use their charm like a tool to justify their own desires, acting as if their ability to make someone smile entitles them to more.

That’s when the risk of infidelity skyrockets.

Final thoughts

We’re almost done, but there’s one piece I don’t want overlooked: a trait alone doesn’t guarantee someone will cheat.

People are more complex than a checklist.

Still, these red flags can help us stay mindful in our interactions, whether we’re assessing our own behaviors or noticing patterns at work.

Cheating at the office often sneaks up on people, clouded by stress, excitement, or unfulfilled emotional needs.

Yet it usually takes shape through these sorts of traits that thrive when left unchecked.

My intention here isn’t to point fingers but to encourage self-reflection.

If you’ve recognized any of these traits, either in yourself or in someone you know, remember that awareness is the first step toward change.

Personal responsibility and intentional living are not just catchy phrases.

They’re the backbone of every strong relationship, personal or professional.

I hope this helps you navigate the subtle dynamics at work and stay true to what matters most: honesty, self-respect, and a commitment to genuine connections.