Saturday 4 October, 2008We can work it out . . .

Office romance is on the rise. Seems the chances of stumbling over consenting coworkers is most likely in the conference room, the boss's office (that would be on the boss's desk), the office of one of the couplers, the bathroom, the server room, the elevator, and the ever-popular supply closet. The danger of getting caught just sweetens the deal for those who indulge.

At least two recent surveys; one from the US, one from the UK; found that around a quarter of employees find long-term love at work (22% to 27%). Plenty more admit to having had a fling or to knowing about one (58% and 43%), and more than two-thirds confess to a crush or two, even if most don't act on it.

Office intrigue is nothing new. But it does seem to have developed a kinky twist of late: people are pairing off with a "pseudo-spouse."

These workplace "weddings" are strictly platonic, mind you. The idea seems to be that they offer instant intimacy, without any complicating sex or commitment.

According to the US survey, fully 32% of workers reported having an office spouse. Many claimed to have more than one. Advantages are supposed to include increased job satisfaction and improved chances for promotions and raises. (No, that would be due to greater productivity;get your mind out of the gutter!)

"They have a big attraction; there are no strings attached, and if doesn't work out, you go pick out another office 'spouse,' and no divorce is necessary." At least, that's how one of the research consultants behind the survey sees it. "The 'office spouses' can be more open with each other than they can with their own spouses, and there's no guilt involved."

Oh yeah? When you add up that sense of intimacy; the mutual got-your-back interests; and the daily hours spent together on the job, on breaks, at lunch . . . minus the sex . . . is the result truly so simple? Heck, a lot of "real" marriages aren't much different.

You might expect that such an intimate and important relationship wouldn't be so easy to break up or replace. Surely it might have some iffy complications around the office. Even people that are just good friends, let alone best friends, and never mind "spouses"are prone to feelings of jealousy and betrayal when they get dumped.

One thing is for sure. If your spouse is a workaholic (the kind that people say is "married to his work"), maybe you should pencil in some time for a conference.