Infidelity: Why Snooping to Find Out about a Spouse’s Affair Can Hurt You

Most affairs stem from workplace relationships. About 80 percent of extramarital affairs involve either a co-worker or supporting staff related to the workplace. “We have witnessed this statistic repetitively after solving more than two thousand cases of infidelity,” says private investigator Bill Mitchell.

After tracking down so many cheating spouses, Mitchell advises conducting surveillance on holidays in his book The More You Know: Getting the evidence and support you need to investigate a troubled relationship. “But partners of cheating spouse can do irreversible damage in the pursuit of truth by snooping on their own at Christmas parties,” Mitchell says.

Mitchell, president and chief investigator of Mitchell Reports Investigations, LLC, suggests spouses who think their partners are cheating hire a private investigation firm to do the work. “We place them under surveillance and observe their activities should they opt to cheat,” he says.

How does it work? Mitchell advises clients to create an excuse not to attend the party and then see if a private investigator can verify their suspicions.

“Snooping or running a covert operation by a spouse is risky business,” he says. That’s because he believes most people will tip off their spouses with their behavior.

“In scores of infidelity cases, we find cheating spouses are very concerned about being uncovered, especially by their legal mate,” said Mitchell. “And you never want to force your spouse further underground, making closure almost impossible.”

“We counsel our clients to keep a low profile in order to avoid any likely detection. Any spousal attempt to look into workplace infidelity is clearly a real blunder and could have very harmful ramifications,” he says. “Evidence is the king. Do everything possible to avoid alerting both paramours and spouses. Definitely avoid workplace parties unless you must attend. If you do attend play the role of naive spouse.”

Mitchell, founder of www.7daydetective.com, says, “A tipped off cheating spouse is precarious and especially dicey business for private investigators.”

Silence is essential. And absolutely, steering clear of any location where cheating spouses cheat is shrewd. “These and other strategies keep them off balance,” Mitchell says.

Infidelity fosters suspicion on both sides. Victimized spouses are under heavy scrutiny by their cheating spouses, who expect signs of probing, questioning, or spying.

If you suspect your spouse or significant other is already involved in a workplace affair, Mitchell says to get a private investigator. It’s best not to complicate the process with your own snooping.

“Holiday parties are just another excellent occasion to expose affairs using investigators. For some, Christmas can be a difficult time to take action. Private Investigators solve infidelity cases year round, so don’t fret if you miss this year’s office party,” Mitchell said.