Working alongside you, across the aisle, down the hallway — you might not realize it, but you may have a “work spouse” you’re spending quality time with every day.

Huh?

A work spouse is someone you share a close — but platonic — relationship, one that can mirror an actual marriage.

About one in 10 workers responding to a CareerBuilder survey said they felt they had one. But there’s a dark side: 20% of those folks said their spouse at home was actually jealous.

The seven signs you might have a work spouse:

1. You and the co-worker share inside jokes.
2. When something important happens at work, he or she is the first person you seek out to trade notes.
3. Your co-worker knows your favorite snacks and how you take your coffee or tea (and you know the same for him or her).
4. You can finish each other’s sentences.
5. You each know you can count on the other one for office supplies, aspirin, cough drops, etc.
6. There are no holds barred when it comes to appearance or hygeine. That’s not bad — it means you’re equally comfortable pointing out the good (nice outfit), the bad (your breath) and the ugly (your zipper is down).
7. This co-workers knows almost as much about your personal life as a spouse or best friend would.

Tags: co-worker, work