> No, we're not a family. My family would let me sleep on their couch if I got fired or lost my home.
Research in industrial psychology consistently demonstrates that managers are extremely hesitant to fire workers, particularly when the human welfare costs are high.[1] They'll consistently keep workers employed well past the point where it's economically justified.
So, I'd say for most people co-workers are not "family". But it's certainly a closer human social bond than an arms length economic transaction in most circumstances.
There are second order effects to firing people. Even if I'm doing a great job and enjoying my work, I'm going to get stressed out if I see 10% of my coworkers get fired every performance review cycle. Sure it would be nice if people who don't carry their weight were replaced but in any profession where productivity is non-objective, that's scary.
Research in industrial psychology consistently demonstrates that managers are extremely hesitant to fire workers, particularly when the human welfare costs are high.[1] They'll consistently keep workers employed well past the point where it's economically justified.
So, I'd say for most people co-workers are not "family". But it's certainly a closer human social bond than an arms length economic transaction in most circumstances.
[1]https://www.econlib.org/archives/2012/06/firing_aversion_2.h...