Work spouses
The term “work spouse” has come up a lot lately in my reading.
According to Wikipedia, a work spouse is:
…a co-worker (usually of the opposite sex)[1] with whom one shares a special relationship, having bonds similar to those of a marriage; such as, special confidences, loyalties, shared jokes and experiences, and an unusual degree of honesty or openness.
I’ve never experienced this, I guess since I work in a female dominated profession.
What about you? Do you have a work confidant that could be considered a “work spouse?”
Tags: Career and Kids, work-spouseRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Work Environment
7 opinions for Work spouses
Florinda
Nov 8, 2007 at 4:25 pm
I’ve been kicking around a blog post on this topic myself, but haven’t gotten it together yet. I had a work spouse for a few years, but we broke up when he went to another job, and no one’s taken his place. I miss it, and him…we understood each other well, professionally and personally. We didn’t have some of the complications that can sometimes come up in these relationships, though…I was single at the time, and he wasn’t, but since he’s gay that didn’t make any difference anyway.
Loth
Nov 9, 2007 at 3:51 am
God no! I do want a wife but I want her at home!
flybunny
Nov 9, 2007 at 9:31 am
I am very uncomfortable with this concept because those relationships can easily cross that line and become something more - speaking from a little bit of experience.
JayMonster
Nov 9, 2007 at 11:42 am
Yes, I have had relationships like that a couple of times. And while my wife or girlfriend (depending on which “work spouse” I am talking about), had a similar reaction to flybunny up there, in a real “work spouse” relationship, things don’t “develop.”
Those that “develop into something more” had that something more (even if it was unspoken) to begin with, and thus not really “honest and open” and not really what is considered a “work spouse” relationship.
I was more devastated with my separation (job change) from my work spouses than I was for most of my relationships (Well not counting the wife, but that hasn’t ended… knocking on wood)
Honey, I’d Like to Introduce You to My Work Spouse… | Marriage Diva
Nov 13, 2007 at 8:52 am
[…] recent post on CareerandKids brought up a recent workplace phenomenon - work spouses. Now, I no longer work with “real […]
Julie and Brad
Nov 14, 2007 at 2:23 pm
Actually, we have been researching and writing a book about work spouses for some time. Come visit and share your work spouse experiences on our website, otherotherhalf.com and our blog, otherotherhalf.blogspot.com.
We’re trying to hear from as many people as we can about work spouses. We’d love for you to join the discussion. - Julie and Brad
“Work Spouses?”
Nov 20, 2007 at 9:19 pm
[…] fellow b5′er at Career & Kids, asked for thoughts on the phrase and practice of work spouses. Heather from Marriage Diva has picked up on the topic, and so, too, have Julie and Brad who have […]
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: