This is seen as a positive thing.
Many times becoming like a family is held out as the ultimate aspiration for a company.
As a recovering psychotherapist, the family has special significance to me. Over the months I have been thinking about this and wondering if trying to be a family to its employees is really something that companies should aspire to. Certainly, when being like a family is used as a metaphor for showing compassion and understanding this is very laudable. Many times I think this is what a company is striving for. What is being pointed to is the supportive and understanding side of family.