A close friendship with a co-worker – or what’s known as a ‘work spouse’ – often of the opposite sex, isn't a new concept. Since most people spend most of their day at work, it's not uncommon for us to bond with some of our colleagues.

While the name might suggest a romantic bond between work spouses, it is most often platonic feelings. However, sometimes the bond might cross the lines within a .

One person who was affected by their partner's 'work wife' took to to ask for advice after finding out their partner had grown closer to one of their colleagues.

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The started the post by explaining that they'd been with their partner for six years, and had no reason to believe that their relationship wasn't going strong. However this quickly changed when finding out their partner had a 'work wife'.

"I didn’t think much of it at first. I get it—people develop friendships at work, and it’s good to have someone to help make the 9-to-5 more bearable," the Redditor wrote. "But as time went on, I noticed little things that didn’t sit right."

They went to explain that it started with her partner coming home from work talking about inside jokes and shared lunches they'd had with this colleague, claiming it felt like her name came up in every conversation. This soon went on to turn into late-night text conversations and 'work meetings' happening at odd hours of the day.

"I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt—I really did. But one night, while my partner was asleep, curiosity got the better of me," the Reddit user wrote. "I know it wasn’t right, but I looked through their phone. What I found shattered me."

They revealed that the text messages hadn't been about work, but instead they had been flirting and sharing personal details with each other while also making plans to see each other outside of work.

"My heart sank," the Reddit user said. "It wasn’t just an emotional connection—it was clear they had crossed a line physically too, based on some of the messages."

They went on to confront their partner the following day, and they were quick to admit to the affair with their 'work wife', but quickly went on to say that it hadn't meant anything.

"I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. How could something that “didn’t mean anything” risk destroying our relationship?" they asked.

The Reddit user went on to ask for advice about whether or not they should try to work things out with their partner even though they'd been unfaithful, or if they should end the relationship altogether.

People were quick to urge the Redditor to leave their partner, as they didn't seem to feel any remorse in their actions. One person said: "If they don't fully own it and rather blame it on others then there is no point in reconciliation, save yourself from the mental trauma that's about to come."

"The minute they are labelled a work couple, work wife and work husband it’s beyond marital boundaries. I really can’t remember of a time when a I’ve heard any co-workers labelled as a work couple who didn’t end up with a home divorce," another person said.

A third person wrote: "I am really sorry. When it's over it's over. Don't flog the dead horse. Don't waste another six years or whatever. Get out now. Yes, it may be hard, but you will heal. If you stay you will always be wondering what he is up to and with whom. You will never trust him again. Just go."