A viral Coldplay concert clip showing a CEO and Head of HR in a romantic moment has ignited debate about workplace relationships at the highest corporate levels. A new Executive Romance Report from Zety, a resume templates service, surveyed more than 1,000 U.S. workers on August 11, 2025 to uncover how employees perceive executive affairs, their risks, and the ethical standards they expect.
The findings reveal that 42% of workers think extramarital affairs between executives are very common in corporate America and another 33% say they are somewhat common, bringing the total to 75%. In fact, 1 in 6 (17%) have suspected or been aware of an extramarital affair between executives at their own workplace.
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Key Findings:
- A culture of quiet scandals –75% believe executive extramarital affairs are common in corporate America.
- Executive affairs aren’t rare – Roughly half of workers have suspected or been aware of an affair between executives at their workplace, including 1 in 6 (17%) who suspected or knew of an extramarital affair.
- Conflicts of interest are the top ethical concern –48% say decision-making bias is the most serious risk posed by executive affairs.
- Employees are calling for transparency – 46% believe executives at both private and public companies should be required to disclose their relationships to employees.
Workforce Reaction to Coldplay’s Kiss Cam Incident
A majority of respondents (51%) believe the backlash to the viral kiss cam moment was driven largely by the fact that it involved the CEO and Head of HR, described by many as “the worst possible pairing.”
The public debate didn’t end there, as opinions were split on whether the media handled the incident fairly:
- 47% believe the media somewhat overreacted but raised fair questions
- 28% feel the coverage was appropriate
- 21% say it was blown out of proportion
- 4% think the incident didn’t receive enough media attention
Romantic Boundaries for Top Executives
C-suite relationships draw scrutiny from employees and the public. Many believe transparency and professional boundaries are essential:
- 44% don’t think it’s appropriate for C-suite executives at the same company to date.
- 46% believe executives at both private and public companies should be required to disclose their relationships to employees.
Risks and Ethics of Executive Affairs
Workplace romances at the top can have ripple effects beyond the boardroom and create serious ethical challenges for companies.
Here’s what employees see as the biggest risks:
- The potential for conflicts of interest in corporate decision-making (48%)
- The misuse of company resources (e.g., travel, time) for personal reasons (26%)
- The precedent it sets for a company’s culture and employee morale (16%)
- The public’s perception and damage to the company’s brand (10%)
“Executive relationships can raise complex questions about transparency and workplace fairness,” said Jasmine Escalera, career expert at Zety. “Clear policies and open communication help maintain trust across the organization.”
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