Love & Dating

Relationship Issues: Working Late

Arguing about why your partner did not come home when they said they would? We look at why this happens, what lies beneath the surface of the argument, and how to resolve it together. Enlarge

Relationship Issues: Working Late

Arguing about why your partner did not come home when they said they would? We look at why this happens, what lies beneath the surface of the argument, and how to resolve it together.

Step 1: The Problem

This argument is about one person prioritising working late over time to be together.

Step 2: What it's really about

This argument is actually all about commitment to the relationship. It hinges on the need for one party to get on professionally, or be in a stronger position to provide for a family, but it may leave the partner at home feeling hurt because they have not spent enough time with their partner.

Step 3: The solution

This is a very difficult issue to resolve, as working late is so often a necessary part of progressing with a career. The only thing to do is try and maximise time spent together, and talk together about how it makes you feel, and that proper attention is paid to the partner left at home. The key is communication and mutual support, understanding and acceptance.