r/Advice • u/Abject_Tangerine3239 • 23h ago
I walked in on CEO and his gf?
Hi all. Throwaway account because I don’t want anyone finding out who I am. I don’t have specific ages for people involved but would say late 20s early 30s.
I (30M) been working at a fairly successful start up for 6 months. It’s great and I really enjoy my job and co-workers. My boss who owns the company is similar ages with me. I wouldn’t say we are buds but he has been a good boss overall.
Anyway last night I realised I left some things at the office and went back. It was after everyone had gone so I wasn’t expecting anyone to be there. We all have keys to get in as sometimes things need done over weekend etc. I got the things I was looking for but heard some noises coming from my boss’ office. I thought it was unusual as usually we are all out sharp on a Friday so I went to check it out.
I opened the door and my boss was having full on sex with his girlfriend. I didn’t see much of him but I saw everything of her. I don’t know her very well, met a few times but my boss is always super private about her and his personal life. Anyway I just said something like “I was just getting stuff, don’t worry” and bolted out. They were both shocked and obviously didn’t expect me to be there but I didn’t hang around to chat about it.
Anyway I don’t know if I should address it with him or just act like it didn’t happen. I didn’t message him or anything as I felt it would be weird and he hasn’t got in contact. I guess I’m not looking for advice just wanted to get it off my chest. It is a really small company so no HR department or anything. Should I just ignore it? I feel weird bringing it up as it’s already awkward enough.
TLDR: I walked in on my boss and his gf and it’s awkward
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u/Illustrious-Item-437 Super Helper [9] 23h ago
Just forget about it, and if he tries to come in talk to you just make it clear “look I don’t care and I’m not gonna tell anybody so don’t worry about it”
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u/SpiritualAd8998 Helper [2] 22h ago
Just bring it up in the next company meeting.
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u/Mockingbird_2 19h ago
In the interview, when HR ask you about your last job. Tell them it was very friendly and open culture and you people would usually walk in like that and leave.
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u/Jbar0071 22h ago
Forget about it. Yes, it was unfortunate timing, but who cares. People have sex. Odd are they would prefer things be let go and move on normally. Don't make it weird.
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u/SpillBot5k 22h ago
The work place is not where you SHOULD be doing this. The witness may have a lawsuit for trauma.
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u/michk1 21h ago
It was the owner of the business conducting personal business with a consenting partner after business hours in his private office. I would ignore it or apologize for opening the door
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u/Jbar0071 19h ago
I am not an attorney, but I believe in HIS office, his boss has a "reasonable expectation of privacy". Also, trauma? seriously? For walking into an office that was not assigned to the OP? Litigious twunts abound.
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u/whiskeynise 19h ago
We really are over using the word “trauma” these days
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u/SpillBot5k 15h ago
After having a very similar experience to the post here I wasn’t the same. It was difficult interacting with coworkers was odd. I hated have conferences in those areas in which I caught them. I could never take my boss seriously after that. All of this effectively hurt my work ethic and interactions with colleagues moving forward.
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u/SpillBot5k 22h ago
I also did this on two occasions with the same boss. I didn’t say anything to anyone other than my wife who also was a coworker. It was never brought up. He was investigated for other misconduct a year later. He was caught and had responsibilities taken away but kept his job. His affair partner/ secretary was fired and most people in the office were fired with little to no reasons given.
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u/Less-Depth1704 20h ago
Wait, the boss was having sex with HIS OWN girlfriend? I'd buy that dude a beer.
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u/Shoddy_Lifeguard_852 21h ago
If he brings it up, I'd stick to "it's none of my business" and leave it at that. The less said the better.
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u/Snoo-74562 20h ago
Get a bell and walk behind your CEO on Monday and say Shame repeatedly as you ring the bell.
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u/imprl59 Elder Sage [767] 21h ago
Ignore and never speak of it again. If he brings it up play dumb "oh i could hardly see you because of the lights" or whatever lame excuse that you'll both know was lie but lets you go back to normal work relationships again. I really doubt he'll even bring it up though.
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u/Quick_Ad6882 23h ago
You just got a lottery ticket lol. I mean. If he has a wife.
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u/Abject_Tangerine3239 6h ago
No he’s only with her as far as I’m aware lol
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u/Quick_Ad6882 23m ago
Haha. Well if blackmail is off the table that's a lot less stressful.
Id chalk it up as just an awkward moment. You'll gain both cool points and loyalty points by acting chill about this and keeping it under your hat
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u/JamesH_670 21h ago
I would just ignore it and carry on. If he brings it up, I might even say something like “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Nothing happened.” and proceed like nothing happened. He will hopefully get the message and do the same.
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u/TeekhaRosogolla 20h ago
Monday morning stand-up is gonna be interesting now 🤣 Please keep us posted 🤭
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u/Abject_Tangerine3239 6h ago
Haha yeah if I even go in! Might just take a working from home day lol
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u/TeekhaRosogolla 5h ago
Nah bruh, for enhanced collaboration and teamwork, I urge you to go to the office and report back here by EOD 😂
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u/Key-Cash-6198 20h ago
If he’s a good boss. And everything’s rolling smooth. Act like it didn’t happen man. A year from now you can grab drinks and laugh about it.
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u/LectureLopsided4334 19h ago
How will throwaway account helps? If your boss reads this he will know its him and you are the one that posted.. he’ll know you have shared this on reddit
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u/Overall_Flounder7365 19h ago
Dude….its HIS company. If he wants to bang his girlfriend in HIS office after hours at HIS company, that is HIS right. No you shouldn’t “bring it up”. You should mind your own business and never go into your bosses office after hours when you “hear noises” coming from it again.
This is literally hard to believe. Do you seriously not know what sex sounds like? This doesn’t sound to me like you did it on accident, this sounds to me like you heard it, knew damn well what was going on, but because of some weird nosiness you just HAD to peek in the door. You should be thankful he didn’t fire you on the spot.
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u/supredready 21h ago
If I was there I could not say anything
Just get back and later say I don't have I am thinking about
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u/Glittering_Tiger_289 20h ago
Are you going to update this on Monday? Can't leave us hanging!
Update me! 2 days
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u/carptrap1 20h ago
Either you're getting a promotion or getting fired to keep stump. Let's hope it's the former.
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u/DanielBG 20h ago
You heard them through his closed office door and decided to open it without knocking? Yikes
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u/Mightymap2 19h ago
Was she hot? Rate 1-10?
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u/Abject_Tangerine3239 17m ago
I won’t give a number but let’s just say I wouldn’t kick her out of my office if you know what I mean lol
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u/happiestnexttoyou Master Advice Giver [26] 13h ago
Just act like it didn’t happen. It’s unfortunate but he wasn’t going anything wrong; It was after hours in his private office.
Don’t mention it to anyone in the office and let it go.
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u/Gooperdot 10h ago
As someone who had walked into a similar situation (except both were having affairs) Best to just pretend you never saw it, keep your mouth shut. Don’t tell anyone at work and you might find will that it might come back to reward you.
If he approaches you about it, just say “I don’t know what you are referring to. I came back to the office to collect my things and left”
He and his gf will be embarrassed and would rather it if you walking in had never happened. Unless of course they like that stuff in which case he might start asking you to work late 🤣
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u/FunkaleroC 18h ago
Bury it deep, like childhood trauma and feign amnesia. Either that or an empathetic approach... "Hey boss! Don't worry about Friday, god knows we'd all tap that fine ass as soon as nobody was lookin' so no judging from my side"
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u/Capital_AT 21h ago
If you've got his number, text "I would prefer to forget about the incident on Friday" and leave it at that
Or email. Or teams.
As long as you're not adding any details it's ok and innocent.
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u/CrazyLeadership5397 Helper [2] 23h ago
Monday morning is going to be interesting. If he approaches you, just tell him you prefer to forget about it. Updateme.