Could you work with your spouse?

Seeing your beloved all day could bring a smile to your face, or it could be less uplifting, if discord within the home spills over into the workplace.

Four Burley-in-Wharfedale couples told us how it works for them.

Helen Taylor and Ian Campbell

Helen met her husband Ian at university where they both studied for a post-graduate qualification in landscape architecture.

They worked in the profession in Scotland before moving to West Yorkshire where Helen set up her own garden design business, while Ian worked for a firm of architects and engineers.

Helen’s business flourished and they had often talked about working together, so, in 2015, they took the plunge. “Helen has never been busier and my fixed term as a project manager was coming to an end,” says Ian. “I missed design work and being out on site.”

The couple, who have two sons, have not looked back. “It is helpful to have someone to talk to and we can brainstorm ideas,” says Helen. “We can discuss things, whereas before we would talk at the end of the day when we were tired and the children were around.”

Having someone in the office is useful, and domestic activities are easier to manage.

Not having a stable income can be a worry at times. “You always have to plan ahead, thinking about where the work is going to come from and factoring in school holidays,” says Helen.

“We both have different strengths which complement the other,” she adds. “Working together has been a big adjustment for both of us but it’s a positive change and we’re still talking. We have a good understanding now of the stresses and strains in each other’s life."

Danny and Michelle Schofield

Danny and Michelle have known each other for more than 20 years. He worked in procurement, estimating and surveying for several companies from multi-nationals to local firms; Helen worked in the insurance industry, coaching, training and auditing.

After being made redundant in 2012, Danny set up on his own. As the business grew, he struggled to manage. “Michelle was already helping me with invoicing and accounts. Being our own boss was very appealing.”

After 22 years, in insurance Michelle had lost enthusiasm in her job, and they decided to join forces. Michelle is now office manager.

“Knowing each other so well we are able to react instinctively to each other. Our level of communication is much more instinctive than that of a usual workplace relationship," says Danny. "We actually enjoy spending time together."

The couple, who have four children between them, now have more flexibility and a more relaxed family life.

“Working together with shared business goals and aspirations means that Michelle is able to fully appreciate and share the pride in the business,” says Danny.

The couple acknowledge that there are disadvantages in working together. “We would both be affected if the business failed, neither of us gets sickness or holiday pay, and no cover during time off,” he adds.

Daniel and Loraine Hughes

The couple met in Dubai, where Loraine grew up. They both worked for a food industry consultancy, part of Emirates Airlines.

A technical expert with experience and qualifications in food technology and safety, new product development and management systems while Daniel is an experienced operational manager.

After moving to West Yorkshire, where they live with their young son, they ended up working together as food technologists. “Working together was partly a planned decision and partly came about through circumstance,” says Loraine. “It was a combination of trying to utilise the time of a stay-at-home parent, wanting to work for ourselves and the associated financial benefits.”

With different skills, they tend to work on separate projects or different parts of the same projects, complementing each other.

They don’t spend all their free time talking about work. “It’s hard to gossip without the cast of characters we would both know in a large organisation,” adds Loraine.

Cathy and Chris Hunt

Chris and Cathy met at the University of Nottingham when they were both studying for a post graduate diploma in architecture. They then lived and worked in Cambridge where they became fully qualified architects.

Chris set up his architectural practice in the economic downturn, after being made redundant from two companies in short succession due to lack of available work. “Fortunately, one client was able to provide a substantial amount of work which enabled him to start the company,” says Cathy who had changed career and was teaching design and technology at a local school.

As Chris got busier, and Cathy became disenchanted with teaching, they decided that there was enough work for her to return to architecture.

The couple’s office is in the village, where their seven-year-old daughter attends the local school. “It works very well - balancing family life along with running our own business,” says Cathy.

Chris tends to deal with clients, fee bids and do the initial design work up to planning application stage, while Cathy provides technical drawings for building regulations and construction. “I also do the book keeping and keep all the computers running smoothly in the office,” she adds.

“We actually get to see each other now,” she adds. “When I was teaching, Chris was often working late at the office, so we didn’t see each other until around 10pm.”

Of the disadvantages, Cathy cites the difficulty in taking holiday. “They are short and not very often.”