Liking a co-worker’s photo on social media. Sending them direct messages. Checking in on Slack more often than before.
Liking a co-worker’s photo on social media. Sending them direct messages. Checking in on Slack more often than before.
Progressively interacting in this way with someone outside your relationship may be no big deal to you. To your significant other, however, it may be microcheating, which some people consider a form of infidelity because it can involve building a bond one heart emoji at a time.
Although pushing the boundaries of what’s allowed in a relationship is not a new concept, the issue has become even more common with the rise of remote work, said William Schroeder, a therapist and owner of Just Mind Counseling centers in Austin, Texas.
« People are having more digital relationships so it kind of creates more space for that », Schroeder said. « In this work-from-home environment, it can happen even easier because it’s real low risk. »
Microcheating, a term popularized by Australian psychologist Melanie Schilling, could be anything short of a physical or emotional relationship if it involves a behavior you can’t talk about openly with a partner.
Besides furtive social media chatting, it also could mean lingering too long at the water cooler to talk to a co-worker, sharing personal details of your own relationship, or dressing up if you know you’ll see someone.
