A woman was in disbelief when she stumbled upon a collection of work spouse Valentine’s Day cards at a store. Picture: Freepik
Ever heard of the term work wife or work husband? If you’ve spent enough time in an office (or scrolling through social media), chances are you have.
While it might feel like a modern phenomenon, the term “work spouse” has been in circulation since at least the early 2000s, gaining mainstream attention after journalist David Owen explored the idea.
His article, “Work Marriage”, explores the unique dynamic of these workplace relationships, highlighting their mix of emotional support, trust, and (mostly) innocent camaraderie.
What started off as light-hearted fun – a way to describe that one co-worker who always has your back – has now turned into a full-blown trend. So much so that brands have caught on, and now, we’re seeing actual Valentine’s Day cards dedicated to work spouses.
A video clip, which has since gone viral, shows a women picking up a card that reads, “For my work wife on Valentine’s Day. I’ve finally found someone as inappropriate as me!”
The user, clearly stunned, asks, “Who approved this?”, while zooming in on a shelf filled with similar cards.
Modern times, I tell you.
The internet, as expected, had mixed reactions. Some found it hilarious and took it for what it is, saying, “Most affairs begin at the office, so it's valid.”
However, others, weren’t as amused, with one user calling it “sickening”.
The debate rages on, with some people questioning whether these terms blur the lines of professional relationships, especially when actual spouses and partners get involved.
According to “Psychology Today”, it all comes down to time spent together. When people spend long hours with colleagues, naturally, friendships form, and sometimes those bonds take on a deeper, more structured dynamic - without necessarily crossing the line into romance.
The study describes a work spouse as a “special, platonic friendship with a work colleague characterised by a close emotional bond, high levels of disclosure and support, and mutual trust, honesty, loyalty, and respect.”
The key is to keep things professional because, while work spouses can make the office feel like a second home, no one wants to explain to their actual spouse why they’re getting a Valentine’s Day card from Steve in the IT department.