ATLANTA – A new survey finds that almost 1-in-5 Georgia workers have found a new ‘work spouse’ since returning to the office.

Release:

• As more workers return to the office, the ‘work spouse’ trend is re-emerging.
• One third admit to having a pet name for their work spouse.
• Interactive map showing a breakdown across each state.

In the ever-evolving landscape of office culture, there’s a trend that has subtly been emerging, without crossing any HR boundaries. Enter the era of the work spouse – a term that’s been buzzing through cubicles and Zoom rooms since the early 2000s but truly finds its roots in the age-old tradition of finding that one colleague you vibe with on another level. This isn’t about romance; it’s about partnership in its most platonic and powerful form.

But a quick rewind. When the world hit the pause button and our living rooms became our office spaces, the essence of the work spouse was put on a forced hiatus, with many of these relationships extinguished. Fast forward to now, with the great office comeback underway, it appears there has been a glorious return of the work spouse connection, stronger and more essential than ever.

According to a recent survey conducted by Wealth of Geeks, almost a fifth (18%) of employees who have returned to the office full time have found a new ‘work wife/work husband’. Meanwhile, Iowa is where it seems the office party is at – employees in the Hawkeye State are finding their office soulmate more than in any other state, with 28% of Iowans tying the platonic knot, forming work spouse relationships.

On the flip side, Arkansans seem to be playing hard to get, with only a modest 5% diving into these work-based partnerships. 

In Georgia, the survey found that almost 1-in-5 (17%) full time office workers have found a new work spouse since returning to the office. This equates to a whopping 1,888,712 workers in the Peach State. 

Created by Wealth-of-Geeks • Viewlarger version

The survey also revealed that, going forward, almost half (43%) of workers do not intend on letting a little thing like changing jobs sever the bonds of work matrimony, maintaining relationships with their ‘work spouse’ even if one of them has left the job. It appears many workers do not want to make the same mistake again, learning from the disconnected experiences of the pandemic.

Over a third (35%) admit to sweetening the deal with a pet name for their work spouse, because why keep things strictly professional when you can sprinkle a bit of personal charm? And 15% of respondents are breaking bread as well as barriers, having lunch with their work spouse every day, turning the lunch hour into the highlight of their workday camaraderie. 

So, what’s the big deal? At its core, the work spouse trend underscores a craving for connection and support that transcends job titles and to-do lists. It’s about finding that one colleague who doesn’t just share your love for coffee breaks but truly gets you. And in today’s fast-paced, sometimes impersonal work world, that’s not just nice to have; it’s essential.

“The resurgence of the work spouse phenomenon in our post-pandemic world shines a spotlight on the inherently social nature of work,” says Michael Dinich of Wealth of Geeks. “This revival goes beyond mere office trends, serving as a powerful reminder that at the core of every thriving organization are its people and the intricate web of relationships they weave together.’’