Dear Jane weighs in on holiday party misstep and marriage under pressure

A best-selling columnist weighed in this week on two intimate crises submitted by readers: a drunken admission at a company holiday party to a married CEO, and a wife’s decision to stay in a marriage after her husband’s infidelity. The column, written by Jane Green and featured in the Daily Mail’s agony aunt pages, frames private missteps as moments that can be managed with restraint, accountability and clear boundaries in both the workplace and home.

In the first letter, the writer describes drinking at a swanky office party, admitting to several people that she has a crush on the married CEO and then attempting to flirt with him. She is anxious about returning to the office and fears the social spillover from the night. The guidance offered is pragmatic: office-party embarrassment often fades from memory, and flirting with a married superior is not automatically harassment or misconduct. The recommended approach is to avoid making the incident a larger issue than it is, return to work with professionalism, and avoid dwelling on it. If the boss brings up the matter, a brief acknowledgment of embarrassment and a firm commitment that it won’t happen again is suggested, followed by moving on.

In a separate letter, a wife describes her husband’s infidelity and the decision to forgive him after attending couples therapy. She asks how to tell friends that she intends to stay in the marriage and work toward rebuilding the relationship for the sake of their children. Jane Green cautions that friends may react with urgency or judgment, but professional support offers a non-judgmental space to process the complexities of a relationship. The columnist emphasizes that the reader’s autonomy matters: the final decision should reflect what is right for her and her family, not a vote from friends. If those friends cannot respect the choice, it may be time to reassess the friendship. The advice also suggests maintaining individual therapy to articulate needs and boundaries while navigating social pressure and conversations with peers.

The two letters illustrate a broader trend in culture and entertainment journalism: personal dilemmas explored through a trusted voice that blends practical guidance with empathetic perspective. By addressing a workplace misstep and a marriage under strain, the column highlights how private life can intersect with public scrutiny, workplace culture and family dynamics. The responses aim to empower readers to act with restraint, protect their well-being and define their own paths, even in the face of social judgment.