Dear Jane column weighs two readers' dilemmas: a holiday party misstep and a saved marriage

Two letters in the widely read agony-aunt column Dear Jane frame this week’s discussion of boundaries at work and in romance. In responses that readers follow closely across culture and entertainment circles, international best-selling author Jane Green offers practical, nonjudgmental guidance for situations that test personal judgment and professional footing.

One reader recounts a swanky company holiday party, where after several drinks she allegedly confessed an attraction to her married CEO and attempted to flirt. Friends supplied the missing details and warned that the moment could carry professional consequences. The account describes the party atmosphere, the bold moment of flirting, and the fear that a single evening could haunt her at the office. The marker phrase hangover from hell underscores how a moment of vulnerability can feel amplified in hindsight and among colleagues.

Green’s guidance on this matter is straightforward. She advises taking a breath and recognizes that office-party shame often magnifies in one’s own head more than it does in others’ memory. Flirting with a boss, while ill-advised, is not the same as harassment or misconduct and is not automatically a fireable offense. The appropriate professional response, according to the column, is to treat the incident as over and move on. If the boss later brings it up, the suggested reply is brief and focused: acknowledge embarrassment, state that the behavior was inappropriate, and indicate that it will not happen again. Then resume responsibilities and avoid dwelling on the episode.

The column’s second letter centers on a deeply personal decision. A reader describes discovering that her husband cheated, her response to kick him out, and her choice to stay after secretly attending couples’ therapy and forgiving him. She now faces the delicate task of telling friends about her decision to remain in the marriage and about the ongoing work to repair it. She fears judgment from a social circle that has long offered strong opinions about her relationship. Jane Green counsels that friends can provide support, but they do not get to vote on someone’s next step. The advice emphasizes seeking professional guidance as a nonjudgmental space to process complicated emotions and decisions. It suggests that the reader consider maintaining privacy around intimate details, and even finding a personal therapist to navigate the emotional terrain outside of the couple’s therapy. If the reader chooses to share her situation with friends, the guidance is to frame it as a personal decision and to expect that some may disagree, while others will offer respect and understanding.

Together, the letters illustrate how contemporary readers grapple with the aftereffects of public missteps at work and private crises in relationships. Jane Green’s responses prioritize personal agency, professional boundaries, and the value of professional support when navigating situations that may feel overwhelming. The column, featured in Daily Mail’s Dear Jane series, continues to shape a practical, empathetic approach to moments that can define a person’s career and family life. While the specifics differ, the shared thread is clear: decisions are personal, and handling them with calm, measured steps can help one regain footing in both career and home. The latest exchange reflects a broader cultural conversation around accountability, resilience, and the importance of seeking guidance when circumstances feel unmanageable.