Are you missing your work spouse? Maybe it's time to look at those relationships.

As I tell clients, who your partner is having coffee with is far more threatening to your relationship than an inconsequential sexual liaison. With the pandemic in full swing the aftermath may be that more and more people work from home. What’s going to be interesting is how many people feel cut off from their intimate (albeit maybe not sexual) work connections.
It turns out that over 20% of people meet at work or at a work function. You put adults together with some commonalities, especially if there is some tension, stress and adrenaline and bonding happens. And you start to have feelings of protectiveness and intimacy towards your work spouse.
“1/4 of Americans admit missing their work spouse, more than they would their partner, reveals survey.
2 in 3 couples say they are not as productive as they could be when working under the same roof.
1 in 10 admit accidentally calling their partner by their work spouse’s name.
Tips on working from home with your partner.
If you work in an office team environment, there may be a colleague or co-worker with whom you share a strong bond – someone you consider your ‘work spouse’. Considering the average American employee spends around 40 hours per week working a typical 9 to 5 job, it’s no wonder we seek support, friendship and loyalty in a space where we (usually) spend a large portion of our daily lives. However, if you are romantically involved with an actual partner, having a work spouse may trigger feelings of jealousy in your real-life relationship.
If you are in lockdown with your partner, it can be difficult to maintain a high level of productivity when it comes to your job. There are plenty of domestic distractions at home including your partner, Netflix, and the temptation to get back into bed for more snooze time. It appears a large number of couples are distracted by each other as 2 in 3 couples here say they are not as productive as they could be when working under the same roof.
View the following tips on how to maximize your efficiency while working from home with your partner
In fact, 65% of employees working from home say they would be more productive if they were in lockdown with their work spouse as compared to their actual partner. Perhaps this is because it is easier to discuss projects and deadlines with your colleague or co-worker who fully understands your industry, as well as bounce ideas off one another in order to maximize efficiency.
If you’ve seen the episode of ‘Friends’ where Ross accidentally says Rachel’s name at the altar instead of the name of his wife-to-be, you will know that calling your partner by the wrong name can be detrimental to your relationship! This is a relatively common occurrence in American households as 1 in 10 employees admit to accidentally calling their partner by their work spouse’s name.
‘While working from home, it is understandable why a large percentage of US employees are struggling to focus on their work, especially with news of a global pandemic,’ says Jamie Ellis of PRPioneer.com. ‘If you have the space, try working in a separate room to one another and plan your lunch hours at the same time. This way, you will each be able to give more attention to your work tasks, while still enjoying time together as a couple over lunch, dinner and in the evening.’
What I’m seeing during this lock down is the challenges of couples spending weeks together without the option of getting out of the house. But it’s also a chance for re-connection. It gives you the quiet from running in place to look at your life and the quality of your relationships. If you are looking to your work spouse for intimacy it may be time to re-engage with your real spouse. Or if you miss your work spouse and can’t stop thinking about them maybe it’s time to be upfront to that person about what you are feeling.
If you are really struggling about what to do then it may be time to put heads together and talk it out. I’ve been there and really encourage you to focus on self awareness. Even one session ($125 for an hour) can give you clarity. It’s safe, confidential, and private. Half of my clients these days are skyping from their car. Let’s talk about those feelings.