4 Things To Ask Yourself Before Announcing You're An "Office Spouse"

Office spouse relationships are supposed to be platonic. There are never supposed to be any romantic feelings or intimacy involved. When two people appear to spend a lot of work time together, questions will arise. As we know, perception is everything. Unfortunately, today’s office culture has become more accepting of casual behaviors. These casual behaviors have a significant effect on office relationships.

Office spouse roles, no matter the gender, definitely get tongues wagging and add coal to the office gossip train. Although deemed as harmless, the wrong connections could lead to challenges in your upward mobility. If you want to be taken seriously in business you have to monitor your progression. Longevity in any career is determined by your perseverance, your savvy, and most importantly your work ethic.

If you just happen to gel with someone at work and have heard others refer to you as an office spouse, you need to ask yourself the following questions:

1. Is this person married?
   
2. Since they are my boss, what is the perception?
   
3. Are the platonic signals clear?
   
4. Is this going to hurt or hinder my career?
   

If your office spouse is married, then you have to take in consideration the feelings of the spouse. No matter how platonic, the actual spouse may be at the end of undeserved gossip that can lead to hurtful and embarrassing situations.

If they are in fact your boss, are you really just mutually drawn to each other for support or do you have an ulterior motive? You may try and hide this, but this type of positioning will get sniffed out quick and with painful consequences.

The platonic signals have to be clear and never crossed. If they are crossed, you will have gone from office spouse to office affair. To avoid any confusion, stay on the platonic course. This office spouse clever dictum may not be worth your professional reputation.

I know that opinions are just that, and we all should be able to do what we want, but this is work. This is not your private life after work. Keep your integrity, build your character, and stay Moxie.