Flirting at work - how to react

I’m a first year analyst (female) at an EB I feel like one of the associates keeps flirting with me. I initially met him through networking before I got my offer and he always offered to answer questions etc but I thought he was just being helpful and friendly.

Now that I’m on the job, I feel like he always finds a reason to be close to me and just drops by my desk. He’s super friendly and when we have time, he invites me to lunch or asks me whether I want to join group events after work. I’m pretty sure that he’s flirting with me but I don’t really know how to react. I mean he’s pretty attractive and charming but I feel like its inappropriate for the workplace. If he wasn’t my coworker, he’d definitely be the type of person I would date.

Should I even address it until he makes an actual move, should I just keep being friendly? What would you do in my situation?

Thanks!

15 Comments
 
Funniest

If I were you, I would just wait until he replies to this thread.
 

More generally speaking, dating at the workplace is not always a good idea.

 

Haha I agree, but I just fear that if I address the situation, he’s gonna be upset and it will make our relationship at work weird.

So you’d recommend to just do nothing and let him continue flirting?

 
Most Helpful

During my years in various companies I had different "work wives". Just female staffers I really clicked with and... "if this was in another situation, it might have worked out...". The type of girl I would want to date or marry, but we didn't do it because we work together.

If you like him as a person, maybe he can be a work hubby to you. Just really good friends, a confidante,... until either one of you leaves the firm. It is up to both of you to make it work afterwards... or not.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work_spouse

This should only happen if both people are single or if the spouses are ok with it. It is totally fine to have good friends at work.

 

Rule #1 of all rules - don't poop where you eat.

Tactically, get to know the person and (not to sound scheming, but) utilize him as a resource to help you learn and improve. I don't mean to take advantage of him though.

Do not go out of your way to do anything with him, but if he continues to take initiative to be friendly to you, why not be friends?

If he could or is your type, friend-zone him. Connect with him genuinely as a friend, but keep boundaries sexually/romantically, at least until you change jobs or he does. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be....even if it takes a long time to materialzie. But, don't risk your job. Just know that there are tens of thousands of people dying for your opportunity. 75% of this site are 18-23 year olds trying to get into IB.

Your job and learning opportunity to build a career is a certainty. A long lasting relationship with this associate is not. It's a terrible trade. Don't do it.

If you can't control yourself, then keep your distance. Don't risk this opportunity. Focus on learning and execution.

 

Thank you, I’ll definitely try to subtly make him understand that I want to be just friends. Definitely don’t want to risk my career for a relationship

 
[Comment removed by mod team]
 

Ipsam et sit ipsam excepturi voluptatum magni. Consequatur aut necessitatibus temporibus.

Quod nobis porro cupiditate qui labore modi. Voluptate tenetur minima atque sed libero est explicabo. Modi nesciunt eligendi accusamus culpa. Ullam consequatur voluptatem omnis similique exercitationem qui ut. Sit deserunt est laboriosam ad consequatur adipisci neque molestiae. Reiciendis illum esse rerum laborum mollitia.

Autem est commodi error et et est. Dolores quis ipsum voluptas. Qui a tenetur temporibus aut.

Dicta quaerat quibusdam asperiores dolor nihil corrupti. Quo suscipit id animi iste et eveniet. Illum sed occaecati est laboriosam exercitationem quaerat quibusdam nobis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (65) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”