Can A Couple Work At The Same Office AND Stay A Couple?
Posted: Friday, March 06, 2009
by Laura Trahan
Several companies employ nepotism rules when it comes to hiring.
I once heard of a couple that met at one of the big computer companies in our town. They quickly fell in love and married only to have the wife lose her job because of policies. I never understood the philosophy.
If a couple can run a family together, why is it unthinkable to have them work for the same company and run it together? I now have realized the reasons.
I have been kicked out of my spot and given the laptop to contend with and no, I don't have hard feelings on the subject.
Just like I am not upset that for the past three years I have sat at that desk in a foldout uncomfortable chair. He now sits in nice leather, whirl around, rocking, need I even say-comfortable, chair.
Not only that I now find myself this nagging overbearing wife. The poor guy can not even go to the bathroom or get a cup of coffee without me giving him the evil eye because he isn't working. Maybe if I got to sit in a cool chair all day, I wouldn't be so demanding.
I can't imagine anything more annoying right now. Take for instance this moment. He is staring at me while I write.
"What are you doing," I ask.
"I was stopping to give you a kiss on the way back," he says.
"Go away. I am trying to write here," I say.
He gets up. "The answer is yes if one isn't neurotic," he says.
Do you see what I am putting up with? It has been a week and we are already driving each other insane. I don't know if I should talk to him, nag him or pretend he isn't here all together.
I can envision the news reports now as we face our untimely deaths by working in the same house.
The couple died in what seems to be an argument over a comfy chair as both bodies were found being spun around in the chair by the kids. . . .ok that was a little too much.
All of this is truly in humor. It has been an interesting week. We are learning to work out the kinks and in the meantime, my husband is finally realizing he did marry someone neurotic. What more could he have hoped for in this life?
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Top-level comments on this article: (8 total)Hey, at least it should be interesting! Great article!! I'll be looking for updates with great interest as well.Thanks Ken for the encouragement and commenting!
Hi Laura.All your kidding aside, there most likely will be challenges.Bernd and I worked together for years selling mobile homes. We even had our own office at one time. Learning to be together and work together 24/7 was an expanding experience. It was really hard at times. But I honestly think that it improved our relationship. We took classes on communicating effectively, self-esteem, and assertiveness. We negotiated and compromised and all worked out well in the end.I too, will be looking forward to updates.Have fun and success to you,DianneDianne-Thanks for sharing your perspective! I am impressed that you guys tunneled through. I can't imagine a more stressful job then selling :) Thanks so much for the encouragement and support! I am looking forward to getting to know my husband more too! Thanks for the great example! and for commenting!:)
Fun article, Laura. I know I've said this to you before, but I'll say it once again for the record: Being self-employed has it's drawbacks for sure, that's why you can't be afraid to exploit the benefits of self-employment. There are my "3-M's", movies, margaritas, and meeting friends for lunch. Then there's the working through the night on a new idea and taking the next 2 days off to catch up on sleep. It's all part of the fun!20 years ago a friend told me it was like walking in to a cold stream of water. At first it's numbing, then you convulse with coldness. Eventually you acclimate and can not stand the thought of getting out of the water. It will definitely take more than a year. I don't know anyone who has acclimated in less time. Use your friends for support. Especially the ones who understand what you're going through. Ignore the naysayers, but listen to the ones who have made it through already.
Welcome to the water. I wish you the best. I think you'll do just fine.Thanks Bruce! I think you made my eyes water!! thanks a lot for that!
thanks for the endless support and encouragement! Also, awesome analogy! Can totally relate with the numbing stage right now!! I am looking forward to seeing how this new season turns out!! Although, everyone knows I do not do well without sleep. . . I am beginning to learn to just leave Rob at the computer by himself :)
Thanks again for the comment! We are so grateful for the times we get to do some of those "M's" with you guys!! And we are eternally grateful for the encouragement and support! Thanks!
hi laura,i have been with my partner 24/7, for the past 10 1/2 years. we have our own interests, and chores, and keep busy doing our own things, and then hook up at night to eat dinner and watch some tv.we don't know any different routine, so we don't know what we are missing by being apart for 8 hours a day. i'll be coming to see you, baby, and those 6 days away will be the first time we'll be apart. but, after 23 years separated, we like it this way just fine. winters are a little rough, stuck in the house.if you could see my computer, with all my favorite things adorning it's shelves, you would know that this seat is mine!luckily, my partner has his own computer in another room.always remember, "where there's a will, there's a way."good luck,see you soon!!!! Yeaaahhhh!my best to you,sueSue-I heard you were coming!!! I can't wait to see you in person!! We are so looking forward to it! I can't imagine over ten years! I am looking forward to this next season in our lives! Thanks so much for your constant encouragement and sharing your comments!
My advice: Never turn down a kiss! LOLGreat advice Jean! I learned my lesson! :)
Enjoyed your article very much. When my husband retired that was a big adjustment too. We muddled through and now we have our own routines and fortunately for us he has his cubby hole and I have mine. We enjoy being around each other 24/7 most of the time now. Linda DThanks Linda!! Maybe soon we can afford for me to get my own cubby hole :) Hope you have a great week!
....its all about the cards, Laura :-)Big hugs - you know I am with you in spirit. TTeresa! How is the trip? I did actually give a card last night so there! It was a graduation card b/c they didn't sell any about opening your own business so your wife is proud :) i guess i need to go find the romance ones.. . . .
Thanks for commenting! Hugs right back at you!
I always take this question to the level of 'what if they were traveling to a distant planet in the same spaceship?', you know like on the Starship Enterprise or like John and Maureen Robinson in Lost In Space. You couldn't really fire them then, or if you did, you'd probably have to put them back to work at some point. Corporate America: the anti-human.
-GAnonymous-very great point!! and so true!! thanks so much for commenting and sharing!
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