Couples working in the same office…smart move?

February 7, 2009 · Posted in Featured, Social Issues, Society, Things to think about, Topic Blogs · Comment 

It makes for good TV on The Office, but is this a trend that is economically wise right now?  In the new millennium, we are seeing a lot of companies who are loosening the reigns on nepotism guidelines.  It’s never been uncommon for friends to refer friends, brothers, sisters, or former co-workers.

Now there seems to be an even more prevalent trend of couples meeting and hooking up at work, or a husband/wife..girlfriend/boyfriend working for the same company.

I recently worked for a small company where there were many married and unmarried couples working under the same roof.  In fact, I have never seen so many couples in one workplace, almost like the employer encouraged it…which was odd.  It seemed more like a dating service than a workplace.  At times, it caused a little friction (no pun) between people and there was constantly talk that these couples were given preferential treatment because they were “a couple”.

Constantly seen together, hand in hand, eating lunch together, and after a while it became just plain creepy.  I love my wife to death, but if she had to bump into me every 5 minutes in the office, she’d kill me.  Collectively, we’ve both said we’d kill each other if we had to work in the same spot and then come home to each other.    Besides that, we have completely different skill sets and I seriously doubt we’d even end up under the same roof, just not possible.  Anything is possible, but this is rare.

On the other hand, it may not be a wise move for a couple not to implement financial diversification in their relationship.  (In Layman’s terms, one of you seek a job elsewhere)  The same theory holds true for investing, it’s always risky to have all your eggs in one basket (god I hate that term)  but it fits here.

As we skid through this recession, corporations are having a very tough time keeping both partners employed.   There is a huge risk of lawsuits and union violations if a company reviews an employee’s family status prior to laying them off.  The only recourse is to lay both partners off and this can be a horrible financial blow to families.  It would only be at this moment when a couple would truly feel the pain of working together.

It’s a good thing to see couples co-existing in an office place but too often they forget the risks.   The risk of causing co-workers to resent you, the risk of awkward breakups, jealousy over promotions, etc.  The office is teaming with talk and rumors and this makes for great gossip.  It’s not a sin that a couple work in the same place, but often they overlook the perception it casts on their fellow workers.

Watching a couple roam an office together defies all the workplace etiquette that we are taught.  In the age of sexual harassment and unsolicited office advances it doesn’t seem normal that a company allows that intimacy to carry over to the workplace.  I’m not saying married couples are making out in hallways (they could be), for the most part, couples in these situations are tame and respect their co-workers.   At times, it feels unprofessional and often people are obligated to get along with both of the partners in fear of alienating themselves from co-workers.

Too often the office couple has a clique that they hang with because it’s very likely one of these co-workers introduced the couple to each other -  or could be friends with them outside of work.  As you can see, it can become an awkward circle of influence that tarnishes the credibility of an organization- which causes people to resign or those involved to get unfairly labeled by their peers.

My advice to those couples who share office space- be cognizant that the office is not your home and not everyone there is looking at you like your friends do.  As times get tough – sock your money away and hopefully you don’t fall victim to a double whammy.

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