How do you feel when your employer says, "we're like a family here"?

[Anonymous]

Have you ever actually felt like your co-workers and boss were like "family" to you or have you always felt this is a bunch of BS they say that tries to force togetherness when you've all ONLY ever been "just co-workers."

[WindAtMyBack]

I have felt like my co-workers and boss were like family - metaphorically of course.

But if an employer actually said that, I'd be very leery because it sounds like BS. I can decide for myself.

Co-workers make a bigger difference in how much I like a job than anything else, including pay. If I don't like the co-workers, I won't work there long.

[Asker]

In every job I have had, the coworkers have been great, and I would have stayed longer in some cases, but "family" said by past bosses that had no clue what half of our names were was laughable. Agree, decide what and who your family at work is if that.

[jennifer_bloom]

I have never viewed my school or job as a family, but I did view it as a deeply integrated and meaningful social community, and it added a level of social depth and spiritual value to my life, that made it more fulfilling. I do not believe I would have gotten the grades I did, or made the sales I made, if I did not value my social life at work or school in the way that I did.

[DeeDeeDeVour]

As an employer, I would never mislead anyone in my businesses to believe in such baloney.

However, I/we have several select employees who we treat like family even though I/we have never said that "we're like a family here" line to them.

Did you grab the photo above from this question below?

Who do you find MOST ATTRACTIVE in this PICTURE?

[Purpleronnie]

Suspicious because i wouldn’t be able to reconcile my family life growing up to that of a workplace.


I understand what they might hope it conjures up in my mind I. e tight knit , all working together closely , getting on well and supporting each other but show me a real family that works like that because I sure as sh** have never met one.

[AI Opinion]

In my career, I've experienced workplaces where "we're like a family" meant fostering genuine support, trust, and team collaboration. These environments valued each individual's well-being and development. However, I've also encountered instances where this phrase was a facade for expecting employees to overextend themselves. Ultimately, it's crucial to evaluate the company's culture and actions to discern genuine sentiment from empty words. Encouraging openness and valuing personal growth will often lead to a workplace that feels more familial rather than just professional.

[AgentG111]

Like a family, which family are you wanting to be like is what I always ask or reply back with.

That's one of the worst phrases to use. Because being 2025 family is different for each and every human on earth as each one has the ability to interpret it differently.

Team as a whole requires a amount of people with a end goal in mind and each person (s) is set to a goal or part in the end product so to say.

Family good hell who knows what's each person doing as it changes or that person's changes what they will or won't do.

Not saying it doesn't happen in a team but if so there's usually something in place if said person is out or doesn't do what they need to do.

[Someone34]

Sounds like horseshit, pardon my french. If the employer actually feels genuine and then uses this short phrase I would give that place a chance. If its not a genuine person who tries to hire you with no real qualities as a person, it might aswell be a big red flag.

[Asker]

I wouldn't trust it before I was hired. That does sound like BS before you can judge for yourself.

[Someone34]

Yeah, its a little over the top. Noone wants to be bullshitted.

[MrChinaski]

Family is something that you visit reluctantly from time to time because you have to, soak up minor slights and the occasional blunt upbraid while pretending to maintain a positive demeanour, so that you can return to doing the things that really matter in life with people you actually care about... and then do it all again. Yep, that sounds pretty much like every workplace I have ever been in.

[BobbieBoy666]

That a lie. 🚫

Co-workers are not family there just people I work with plus I don't even hang out with them after work I sit in my car instill my shift starts once my shift ends, I clocked out and leave. 🚫

[OneViewpoint]

Nope. A job is not a family. Coworkers are not your relatives. The employer will fire you or lay you off at their convenience. Your coworkers will forget you in 2 weeks. You have an economic agreement with your employer, not a familial bond.

[Asker]

I always think about your point every single time someone retires. Everyone goes, OMG, how will we ever in a million years replace Larry. Two weeks later, Larry's replacement is in and they move on like his 40 years didn't even matter. We're all replaceable at a job. Same thing in athletics. Everyone loves you if you're scoring and winning until you shatter your knee, right.

[OneViewpoint]

You have correctly assessed the situation. Welcome to extreme Capitalism in the USA. Larry won't even get 40 years, a pension, and a gold watch now. Larry will get a 2 month gig and an escort to the door but Larry will not get health insurance or a 401K. Larry will do this over and over again hundreds of times during his working life.

[molonski2]

It's pisses me off BIG TIME..
Imagine how many times I've heard that BS?
I just inwardly laugh , be nice I suppose if it were like that , it never is , complete BS.

[Asker]

It's like the bigger the smile when they say it, the harder the lie. I have worked for a company once that really was more like family, but never once did we say to people, hey we're a family nor did we use it as some sort of weird hiring ploy. You just found out when you got there that everyone was cool, and would willingly give you the shirt off their back if you were cool too.

[molonski2]

Well that must have been a very nice place for sure.

[avery58]

I think it's just manipulation 🙂

I like to keep my work and personal lives separate anyhow, thanks. I don't know you people and I don't want to 😂

[FreyaRed]

I heard it means, "I'm an asshole". However i can't deny nor confirm this statement because my personal portfolio of working with employers is just 1.

[Nikki1989]

Where I work, we are a very close team, but I never heard of it as family. That might be pushing it just a tad.

[genericname85]

it translates to: we're gonna expect you to do more than what can be expected under normal circumstances and we're gonna emotionally blackmail and gaslight you to do things that aren't in your contract.

[exitseven]

I like most of the people I work with and everyone says we are a family but it really is not.

[Asker]

Family is showing up outside of work, going to the game together, you're sick, they are visiting you, calling you about non work stuff and you want to talk to them, inviting them to your house, going to lunch outside of work hours, inviting them to your non work birthday party. I can think of like 5 coworkers that ever fit that bill. Every one else just showed up because we were getting paid to work together. Not family.

[exitseven]

There was one guy at work who was really my friend. We hung out outside of work a few times and I visited him in the hospital. After he retired we lost track of him. I heard a few weeks ago that he died.

[Asker]

Sorry to hear that. At least you had some good memories with him.

[exitseven]

Right before he retired we were walking past the conference room in the Administration Building The college president was sitting in there by himself. My friend starts calling to him and waving. I just pretended I did not know who this crazy guy was.

[Flowersareawsome22]

Only if the vibe is there. If I feel bad vibes I just mind my business stay to myself and don't interact with people.

[Unap0logetic_]

The last place I worked for that said this, it was extremely toxic.. so if I were to hear that again in the near future, I would run away from that potential offer.

[purplepoppy]

Basically that just means don't sleep with each other.

[Aakash_Hangargi]

True 🤣🤣

[Twalli]

I think it means that they are very open and support each other. We were kind of like a family in my last job. Considering that we never met face to face, all virtually. However, we pretty much knew everyone's family situation.

[Anonymous]

Cringe... whenever you have a bereavement or mental episode your family doesn't give you a few months to recover before firing you.

[Asker]

The fact that they have the right to fire you means they can't really be family because you are stuck with family for life.

[Aakash_Hangargi]

Every bird has to leave its nest right

[abc3643]

I did, yes. I've felt like that at times. I realize I was lucky in that.

[beenherebefore]

Complete BS in my opinion. If we are a family we are a very dysfunctional family LOL.

[Anonymous]

We must embrace this etho's and this company culture.

The boss is the boss. As dictated by the shareholders, stockholders and board of directors and executives. 👔

[slatyb]

That it's complete bullshit, not a place I want to work.

[DrPepper12]

They don't. They know better. Any "family" without a collective bargaining agreement is not my kind of family.

[fivebyfour]

I would immediately classify them as a bullshitter and would never trust them,,,

[Asker]

What if they were genuinely awesome? Rare, but it can happen.

[fivebyfour]

If they turned out to be awesome I'd stay in the job, it would take some time though,,,

[DJB72]

Depends if the "family" is Brady, Corleone or Manson...

[AngryCarl2]

Actually I agree. Families fight ALL THE F***ING TIME.

[Asker]

Ha! In that sense in some work places, absolutely!

[Anonymous]

I think some jobs really can feel like family but a lot of them say that and don’t really mean it

[guesswhereivebeen]

I think yes we are… everyone is fucked up and dysfunctional and nobody really likes each other… just like family

[captain_voidwalker]

I feel like I'm gonna be asked to work unpaid overtime

[Asker]

One of my old bosses would be real nice to me right before asking me to work a double on a weekend. Never said the "family" word, but it's giving that. Love you when I need you, in the reverse, they can't be bothered.

[Iron_Man]

It’s fake? I only believe that if it’s sports related

[Bloodparadise]

So what your employer wouldn't ever fire them? Cuz "they're family" rite?

[Aakash_Hangargi]

You don't pay family as well

[Anonymous]

I want to take a shit when I hear that, it is management bullshit. Much of this type of bullshit goes along with lower pay.

[Anonymous]

It never happened to me, on any of my jobs.

[RandomGirl42]

Not joking, I work for my parents. 🤣

[Greek_goddess_Iris]

I don't believe that anymore!

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

I think no we aren't.

[Anonymous]

Cool! Can I HAVE 50 bucks dad?😂

[Anonymous]

Run for the hills