When people act on what *may* happen, we are crossing a boundary with almost unimaginable consequences.

Why should the assistant pay for the husbands roaming eye and the wife's fear of keeping him honest?
This couple should take their nuptial issues to a councilor or take the consequence and get a divorce.

Though it appears you have achieved some degree of insight into the situation, you don't seem to have carried it through to its ultimate conclusion. You have recognized that there is a serious implication for the husband and wife, and that they need to confront the significance of "the husbands roaming eye and the wife's fear of keeping him".

You suggest a councilor or divorce. Serious remedies suggested for a serious issue - so far so good. But wouldn't you agree that the husband and wife are going to need some time to work this out, now that they have recognized they have a problem? Then if you accept that, don't you think perhaps the husband should stay away from the assistant until he has dealt with his marriage issues, one way or the other?

From the way it was described, it was an untenable situation. He needed to put some space between himself and the assistant quickly, and gain some perspective on what was happening. Since she worked for him, she had to go.

You stated your conclusion up front of your comment: "When people act on what *may* happen, we are crossing a boundary with almost unimaginable consequences."

That was insightful, and I agree there are broader implications in recognizing that some working relationships are untenable. Recognizing what *may* happen, as you put it, is reasonable and prudent. We all have limitations. Sometimes we find it is best to avoid somebody we don't get along with if we can. Clearly there are times we may want to keep a distance from someone where there is a powerful emotional or physical attraction. We are not children, and we recognize that at times these situation may occur and could ultimately lead to our demise.

By acting on what *may* happen, we are crossing a boundary that we need to cross. The broader implication is that in any situation where individuals have to work closely together, we must recognize that there will be times where such a close working relationship may become untenable, whether due to an emotional or physical attraction or simply due to that fact that the two can't get along. If such should evolve, it is both reasonable and prudent to separate the individuals involved.

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