Hello Spiderbluey: I noticed this is your first post here on PC. So I wanted to leave a reply welcoming you to PsychCentral.

I certainly agree with the other members who have replied to your post who said what your husband & this woman are doing is inappropriate, doubly so if she is an employee. The other thing with regard to this though is that, while this may all be innocent enough now, it's the sort of thing that can lead to all sorts of complications down the road. It's the proverbial slippery slope.

Here are links to 5 articles, from PsychCentral's archives, that talk about the dangers of emotional affairs. Most of them are directed toward the person who is having the affair. But hopefully you will find them to be helpful as well:

3 Signs You Might Be Having An Emotional Affair

7 Signs You're Having an Emotional Affair with a "Work Spouse" | Reaching Life Goals

Work Wife/ Work Husband | Relationship Corner

When Does Flirting Become Cheating? 9 Red Flags

What if You Suspect Emotional Infidelity?

I hope you find PC to be of benefit.

P.S. One additional article I just happened on:

https://blogs.psychcentral.com/relat...st-friendship/