Work Spouse...Good Idea or Bad Idea?

What's a work spouse?
                                                            

cc by 2.0 image courtesy of Roberto Trm on Flickr

Do you have someone at work that you:

• Take breaks and lunches with everyday without fail?

• Send messages to throughout the work day about non work-related happenings?

• Coordinate your schedule to match theirs?

• Are always seen with all the time?

If so, you MAY have a work spouse. Yeah, I know it sounds ridiculous but I was talking with my friend recently and he was telling me about a woman that he is extremely close with at work. He's married and the status of his work buddy is single. Most people would say that this is harmless and that there is nothing to worry about. Cool.

So at what point should a person be worried that a work spouse may be something more?

Ask yourself, Do I talk with my work spouse oftentimes when I'm at home? Do I make plans to see my work spouse outside of work? Am I constantly thinking about my work spouse, even more than my real spouse?

This is where things get interesting. After all, if we are talking about married people here, this can be outright dangerous to your marriage, and we wouldn't want to disturb that, now would we?  I, personally, have never had a work spouse because my husband is simply not going for it, uh-uh no way. Also, I realize that most relationships can start out harmless and platonic, but then in a matter of months, you're asking yourself, how did I end up here? In other words, what the heck am I doing with dos amores and why is my life suddenly a soap opera? If this is you, I'll tell you the same thing that I told my friend... just be careful and be smart. Simple.