'Office Spouses:' How Close Is Too Close?
CHICAGO (CBS) -- How close is too close, when it comes to your co-workers? Have you ever heard of an "office spouse?"
As CBS 2's Susan Carlson reports, an "office spouse" is an extremely close co-worker of the opposite (or sometimes same) sex, and the relationship can create some tense issues with your real, at-home spouse.
Many of us spend more waking time at the office than we do at home, so it's no wonder we develop relationships with our co-workers.
"An office spouse is someone that you have a spousal relationship with, but it's not an actual spouse. It's someone at work; someone that you're just really close with and spend a lot of time with," a woman in Daley Plaza explained.
There are no vows, but the bonds are real. Psychologist Charles Foster believes work brings like-minded people together.
"You talk about your problems, and what's going on, and you give advice to each other; you share your interests," he said.
But others see it differently.
"I feel like it's a door where something could happen," said Avery Wilkerson.
Let's face it. Men and women who work together are going to be friends and might share things that they wouldn't share with their spouses. But dr. foster says it should be obvious when it goes too far.
"If you're doing something with quote your 'office spouse' that wouldn't feel totally comfortable telling your at-home spouse about, then you have crossed the line," Foster said.
That might include sharing too much information.
"Married people feel that there are certain things about your family life and relationship that yeah, you can tell somebody, but they also feel there are certain things that you can't go over the line and tell somebody else," Foster said.
Physical contact is also off-limits.
"You can't do something like give each other neck rubs, if that wouldn't be something you would feel totally comfortable going home and telling your spouse," Foster said.
And don't hide that work relationship.
"That is a recipe for disaster," Foster said. "It may work in the short run, but stuff is going to come out, and it's going to blow up in your face."
One survey found that about one third of workers admit to having an office spouse. Both sexes can become very jealous over the situation, but some research indicates that women are more troubled by what they see as emotional infidelity.
