Ever send a Valentine's card to someone you weren't related to or romantically involved with? If your answer is in the affirmative, you may have a work spouse relationship.
The concept of a work-wife/work-husband relationship isn't new. But the findings from a Monster.com survey around the subject suggest that these relationships may be more common than most of us thought.
Monster.com gathered responses from 1,100 working adults about whether they had a work spouse and what the relationship looked like. Right off the bat, 45 percent said they had a work spouse. And that number represents an increase compared to surveys from years past.
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"Given the large amount of time we spend at work, it's not surprising that we're seeing a rising trend of work spouses in the workplace," said Mary Ellen Slayter, career advice expert for Monster. "These bonds should be strictly non-romantic, and there can be great benefit to the mutual support. However, should the relationships cross the line, it may be time for one of you to look for a new job."
So apart from sheepishly handing your special non-sexual spouse a chaste Valentine's card ("You mean a lot to me, dear/You're my on-the-job ear"), how else can one celebrate the work spouse? Here are Monster's suggestions:
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Re-gift from the holidays: You've got to do something with that vanity mouse pad your mother gave you.
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'World's Best Co-Worker' mug: We all have to do our part to keep quirky gift stores in business.
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Add a blocked meeting to their calendar: So they can always have free time without distractions.
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A life-like dummy: So it looks like someone's working in their cube when you two are off getting froyo.
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A real gift for their real spouse: Because you know them so well, you know they are going to screw it up.
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Privacy screen for their monitor: So no one else can see the instant message chats you're having all day long.
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Yellow roses: A symbol of friendship since the 18th century.
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Nothing: No seriously, why are you even thinking of giving your work spouse something? Heed our advice.
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Dan Cook
Dan Cook is a journalist and communications consultant based in Portland, OR. During his journalism career he has been a reporter and editor for a variety of media companies, including American Lawyer Media, BusinessWeek, Newhouse Newspapers, Knight-Ridder, Time Inc., and Reuters. He specializes in health care and insurance related coverage for BenefitsPRO.
