Flirting in Surgical and Clinical Settings Will Severely Affect Your Bottom Line.
Is Flirting at Work Okay? My Simple Answer is - No.
Flirtatious behaviour in professional settings can seem harmless—even playful. But in reality, it is deeply destructive to careers, reputations, team cohesion, and ultimately, patient care.
I recall a surgeon who was removed from leading teams of residents because his sexualized behaviour had escalated to the point where he could no longer have direct contact with them. In another case, a female surgeon in a surgical centre was so sexually inappropriate and derogatory that several surgeons refused to work with her. Nurses are often caught in the middle—absorbing, tolerating, or even participating in dynamics they know are toxic. Each person involved is getting something from the attention, even when it’s entirely inappropriate.
My intention is not to blame or shame anyone. My goal is to draw attention to the issue so healthcare business owners—surgeons, physicians, and clinic directors—begin to understand how inappropriate boundaries affect their bottom line. Think about being sued. What then? Flirting is a dangerous game when it crosses into the next boundary. As a healthcare provider, are you prepared for the consequences? (Keep reading to receive my completely confidential and free self-assessment tool)
Anyone observing from the sidelines can tell you exactly how it feels: it damages morale, creates discomfort, erodes trust, and leads to quiet withdrawal among team members. All of this directly affects performance.
Major authorities have been sounding the alarm for years. The Joint Commission has clearly stated that disruptive or inappropriate behaviours among healthcare workers undermine teamwork and patient safety. The Canadian Medical Protective Association emphasizes that maintaining strict professional boundaries is essential for both professional integrity and legal protection. When respected organizations agree that sexualized behaviour harms safety, culture, and care, it becomes clear that “harmless” behaviour is anything but harmless.
Examples of Flirtatious Behaviour at Work
Common behaviours that create significant cultural problems include:
Referring to someone as your “work husband” or “work wife”
Commenting on a colleague’s body, clothing, or appearance
Making sexualized jokes or innuendos
Sending private or suggestive messages during work hours
Personal compliments that cross professional boundaries
Physical touch that has no place in a clinical environment
I once knew of a high-level executive whose male colleague made a derogatory comment about a cosmetic procedure she’d had done. Not only was the comment humiliating—it went completely unaddressed. And this is how these norms persist.
This matters because silence is not neutral. When you choose silence over confrontation, you choose acceptance. Silence is passive, and it signals permission. It opens the door to the next “thing,” which may escalate into harassment, and it quietly invites more derogatory behaviour into the culture. In healthcare settings, where informal rules spread quickly, unchallenged flirtation becomes the silent standard. That’s how small comments turn into patterns—and how disrespect takes root and grows.
The bottom line is this: in clinical settings, professionalism is not optional—it is foundational. Thoughts about your own sexuality or the sexuality of others should remain private. That isn’t repression; it’s maturity and respect.
Workplace culture is shaped by the informal rules operating beneath the surface. These rules develop over years and are reinforced silently by leadership. When those informal rules tolerate sexualized behaviour, the entire environment becomes unsafe.
And if the unspoken norms in your healthcare setting are allowing harassment or inappropriate conduct to flourish, it is time to examine the systems shaping your practice. That is exactly why I created Hiring and Managing Medical Office Assistants for Surgical Practices—to help surgical leaders implement structure, accountability, and a culture where respect is the norm. Click the link below for your free confidential self-assessment.