Is there anyone that you consider a member of your ”at work family”?

Not anymore. Years ago, I would get friendly with people at work and build relationships that could be considered family-like. Then I smartened up and learned to keep work and personal lives separate.

No. You would have to be a fool to do that. I have enough problems with the real family.

I have this relationship with my business partners. Twenty five years and not a single problem. Not one.

I have two or three people who I feel really close with at work. I feel like I can talk to them about anything, and they have that same comfort level with me. I would do just about anything I could to help these people out.

Yes, but he retired and I miss him, he was my mentor.

When I was social chairperson at my club I called the second president I worked with my work husband.

My husband worked for a woman that I think he saw as a mother figure. I’m not sure he would use mother, but he definitely thought of her as family and a mentor/nurturer.

No. Work is just work.

I don’t think of anyone as family unless they have a blood, a legal adoption or marriage relationship to me. So my nephew, whom my brother adopted, my sister and brother-in-laws and my siblings and nieces and nephews are family. Anyone else is a friend, acquaintance, colleague, or community member.

So unless you have some hidden ritual that has your work colleagues bond with you for life, I don’t understand how, or why, they and you would consider yourselves family, with all the responsibilities and baggage that comes with such commitment.

@CWMcCall Yes, but he retired and I miss him, he was my mentor.
Was he more like a big brother, father, uncle or grandpappy in your ”at work family”?

The receptionist and started working there less than a month apart, we are close in age and our kids are close in age. After several years, you do become like family—thankfully, ours gets along well. She’s like a sister to me.