unequally yoked?

[Lonely Summer]

Can someone explain the phrase "unequally yoked" to me? Whenever I hear "yoke", I'm thinking egg yoke :) but the phrase is one I've heard for many years - usually in a dating or marriage context, but recently I've heard it used in reference to work/business as well. Does this mean I should not work for an employer who is not Christian? I guess I need the "unequal' part explained, too. Are Christians only supposed to work for churches, evangelists, Christian charities, etc? Are we allowed to be auto mechanics as long as the shop owner is a believer? Can we bag groceries, knowing that our employer is most likely a faceless corporation?

[redhotmagma]

The yoke is what goes around oxen's necks as they plow a field.  If the oxen aren't equal in size strength, they won't be able to plow straight rows if two of them are plowing together. 

What it means for us, is if you are in a venture (marriage, a business partnership, etc) where you have the same goal (plowing a straight line), you should be in lockstep.  Jesus' yoke is easy, His burden is light.  If one person in the partnership has the light yoke, and the other doesn't then you will veer off course.  I don't think being unequally yoked applies to being an employee.  Its more for partnerships.