AITA: I Asked for Space, She Didn’t Give It, Then She Asked for Space and I Actually Respected It (But Now She’s in HR)?

Ever tried to set boundaries at work, only to have them trampled like a welcome mat? One Redditor (M) found himself in a sticky situation with a coworker who blurred the lines of their “close friendship” after he confessed his feelings. Despite his clear request for space, she kept sending mixed signals—think hearts, hand-holding, and calling him her “special soul”—until she flipped the script, demanded space herself, and then broke her own rule by reaching out. Now, she’s facing an HR meeting, and he’s left wondering if he’s the bad guy.

It’s a workplace drama that’s messier than a spilled coffee in the breakroom! Picture the tension: a busy office, stolen glances, and a boundary tug-of-war that lands in HR’s lap. Was the Redditor wrong for protecting his peace, or did he handle it just right? Let’s dive into this office romance gone awry!

‘AITA: I Asked for Space, She Didn’t Give It, Then She Asked for Space and I Actually Respected It (But Now She’s in HR)?’

Talk about an office soap opera! The Redditor caught feelings for his coworker, owned up to them, and asked for space when she set a boundary but kept crossing it with flirty behavior—hearts, kisses, the works. She ignored his plea for distance, but when she asked for space, he respected it, even looping in HR to keep things professional. Her move to contact him anyway? That’s a boundary violation with a capital V, and now she’s facing the HR music.

The OP played this smart—his honesty and proactive approach with HR protected him from potential fallout. The coworker, though, seems to thrive on control, giving mixed signals to keep him hooked, then flipping the script when he pulled back. It’s a classic push-pull dynamic, and her disregard for his space screams disrespect.

Workplace dynamics expert Amy Gallo notes, “Clear boundaries are essential in professional settings; ignoring them can lead to conflict and even disciplinary action” (source: Harvard Business Review). Here, the coworker’s actions not only muddied the waters but also landed her in hot water. About 30% of workplace relationships lead to HR issues when boundaries aren’t respected (SHRM, 2023).

This highlights a broader issue: navigating personal feelings at work. My advice? The OP did right by setting boundaries and involving HR early—ghosting could’ve backfired. Moving forward, keep interactions strictly professional, and let HR handle her. Readers, how would you navigate this office minefield?

Let’s dive into the reactions from Reddit:

Time to clock into the Reddit breakroom—these commenters are dishing out takes hotter than the office coffee pot! They’re not mincing words on this boundary-blurring coworker, and it’s a mix of support and cautionary tales. Let’s hear the buzz!

And the Reddit water cooler chat isn’t over! Users praised the OP’s HR move—“You saved yourself from a harassment claim!”—while others shared horror stories of workplace romances gone wrong, like a false SA accusation that led to legal drama. Some warned both could still get burned, muttering, “Don’t date at work, period!” It’s a solid “NTA” with a side of “watch your back.” Are these Redditors on point, or just fueling the office gossip mill?

What a workplace whirlwind—this Redditor’s boundary battle shows how messy feelings can get when they spill into the office. He did everything right: communicated clearly, respected her space, and protected himself with HR. The coworker’s flip-flopping and boundary-breaking landed her in trouble, not him. It’s a reminder that work isn’t the place for mixed signals. Would you have handled it differently, or was the HR route the way to go? Share your thoughts below—let’s keep this convo professional (or not)!