While lunching with a co-worker last week, I recently heard a term that spurred some thought. The term he used was “Work Spouses” when talking about office dynamics.

Just to clarify for those of you going down this train of thought — the term does not refer to office romances. It refers to those office relationships, which are platonic, but mirror real marriages in several ways. For example, your spouse at home more than likely knows how you like your coffee. You may also have a co-worker who knows how you like your coffee and brings you one each morning.

So how do you know if you have a Work Spouse? Here are a few telltale signs that you and one of your co-workers have a Work Spouse relationship:

1. You rely on your co-worker to get your office supplies, beverages, snacks, etc.
2. When you need something, you go directly to your co-worker for assistance.
3. You and your co-worker share inside jokes that others in the office do not understand.
4. You confide in your co-worker as though he or she were a best friend. As a result, your co-worker knows a lot about your personal life.
5. Your co-worker knows what you like to eat for breakfast, lunch and snacks.
6. Your co-worker knows what you are thinking and can finish your sentences.

If these tell tale signs apply to you and your co-worker, you may have a Work Spouse relationship. What you are probably wondering now is whether these types of relationships are positive or negative. Unfortunately, the answer to this is not black and white. There are both positive and negative aspects to having Work Spouse relationships. The important thing is that you manage the relationship to ensure everyone remains happy in his or her jobs.