There is a married couple who both work on my floor. This whole concept just strikes me as odd... and frankly, not very enjoyable.
I see them having lunch together... they likely ride to work together... and I just saw them working on something together (though they are in different groups, they were both on their way to my team lead's office to ask a question).
Now you may be thinking that is sweet. A married couple getting to spend that much time together. I am thinking, "that is pretty close to my idea of a person hell."
You know what they say (yes, I just used the elusive "they" as a reference)-"Absence makes the heart grow fonder." Apart from Jesus Christ himself, I can't imagine spending that much time together with anyone on this planet.
So... married and single people alike, share with us your perspective on what it would be like to work with your spouse.
Oh, and on a completely side note, I want to give a quick shout-out to my favorite lurker. She knows who she is... and since she is a lurker, I will keep her identity a secret (unless she decides to "out" herself and actually post). But then she would lose her status as my favorite lurker... so it is a catch 22, I guess.
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15 comments:
I don't see how this could be a good thing at all. The joy of my day is coming home and kissing my wife after missing her for several hours. There might not be very much kissing going on if we worked together all day.
By the way, this post is legal Todd, being that I finally updated.
Mr. Richards,
I cannot believe you wouldn't want me to work with you! One time I think you told me that it would be so much fun to have me at your office. Anyway.
How bizarre that I actually checked your blog today!
love,
HoneyBunny
(aka, the adoring Mrs. Richards)
I can describe my idea of working with a spouse in one word: Barfarma.
yuck - i would die if i had to work with my husband...i mean EVERYTHING would be an assembly line and i would have to do WAY too much analyzing and crunching statistics!! it's a GREAT thing we work in different places. (i'm sure he wouldn't like the way i do things, either!! hee-hee)
...and besides that, it does make the evenings wonderful with my two boys after i've missed them all day.
There are actually quite a few married couples that work for my company, but usually not on the same projects so there is a bit more independence there. I will say that I have observed quite a few benefits - your spouse actually understands what you do, already knows your coworkers so social functions are less painful for them, and can offer both professional and emotional support when things get tough. On the downside, I've seen some of these couples not know when to stop talking about work and start focusing on their relationship, so there is definitely a balance to be found.
All this being said, I don't plan on marrying someone that I work with, but I'll pose this question - would you feel the same way if you and your husband/wife were both in full-time ministry together and spent most of your days together in that setting?
Way to play the minstry card, Jessica! I was wondering about that one...I was thinking I'm NOT AT ALL up for working with my husband...but then, the ministry angle fouls it all up. I guess it works for some couples, but I think I still fall on the 'need my own time/space/identity' side...but I can see the benefits (as Jessica described). Clearly, I don't really know...but suspect it would take a direct word from God (I'm talkin' audible here, people) to get me to be firmly in the 'FOR working together' camp.
I once worked in an office where my two bosses were a married couple. In fact, the wife reported to the husband directly. They LOVED working together and it was never a problem for them. It was similar to what Jessica said...they understood all the frustrations and complications of the job, they didn't have unrealistic expectations regarding work demands, they had mutual work friends which made socializing much more fun and they could carpool. They were great to work for and it never seemed to create problems in their marriage.
Interesting points... I expected everyone to agree with me (how prideful is that?)
Jessica... the ministry angle is a good one. I had not thought of that. There is one person who checks this blog on occasion who is in that boat... so let's see if she responds. As for me, I am not sure why, but that would be different. Again... not sure why. I will explore that later, maybe.
I wonder if the reason working together in ministry seems more acceptable (because I agree with the NO working together, except ministry viewpoint...) is that ministry is something I envision my husband and I doing together, regardless of our "day jobs." Also ministry is more of a "romantic" profession. I say romantic, meaning that it is something we would both be very passionate about and could grow together in it. Somehow I don't see my husband and I growing together in our knowledge of the latest FASB Statement as being very romantic. Just a thought.
I am a lurker but you would NEVER be able to guess in a million years. We have met but I am sure you have long forgotten me like I had you until I came across you blog.
Anonymous... I am intrigued.
mmm...yeah, No way. My wife doesn't like the "work" chet too much. She is the same sweet person wherever she is. I am not and she knows this.
Ha- as someone who has been living 4 hours away from her husband for the past three months, I can definitely say that absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder! I would DIE if I had to be around Chris 24-7- I don't like anyone that much! :) (And I'm sure he feels the same way- although I can't imagine anyone complaining of too much Kristi time- no responses, please!)
since you requested an opinion from the ministry angle here it goes...i think i could definitely work with todd in ministry. obviously, there would be difficult days, but i worked part time for him last semester & help him on a regular basis now & it's not so bad. you always bring ministry home with you, but todd does a good job of saying, "we are done talking about BCM for the night." i really believe if you are in ministry you NEED to be willing to work along side your spouse at least on a volunteer basis.
I think you're afraid she'd want to have lunch and you couldn't take your usual lunchtime nap.
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