Some employers think that if their employees become friends at work, their productivity will decrease and they will work less. Actually, it is the opposite. Having friends at work is beneficial both for the employer and you, the employee. Many of you work at least 8 hours a day and see the same people every day. Therefore, having friends at work gives you an incentive to come to work every morning.
Below are other reasons why it is good to have friends at work:
- Time Passes More Quickly: You spend more time with your coworkers than with anyone else during the day. For this reason, if there are people you get along well and enjoy having lunch or drinking coffee with, the time flies by.
- Your Job Feels More Fulfilling: If you enjoy spending time with your work friends, your job feels more fulfilling to you. You can help out each other, while working together and when it is time for a break, you can talk about your weekend plans.
- You Look Forward to Going to Work: Workplace is not just for working, it is for socializing as well. If there is someone you can eat lunch with or chit-chat during breaks, going to work every morning doesn’t seem so terrible. Also, you can go to happy hours together after work and socialize even more.
- You Feel Part of a Community: If you have friends at work, you feel that you are part of a group. When you are part of a group, you are generally more open towards the people in the group. Thus, you can share your concerns, problems or accomplishments easier. This also creates a support system for you because your friends at work can understand what you are facing with much easier and can offer suggestions for you.
- You Feel More Loyal to the Company: According to studies, the employees who have friends at work feel a strong connection with their company. That is why they are less likely to quit their jobs and go somewhere else because they get worried if they can find a similar friendly work environment in their new workplaces.
- Your Productivity Increases: Studies also show that if you are working with someone you get along with well, you are usually more productive. Think of the opposite. If you are working with a difficult coworker, you spend more time and energy to finish the same task. Also, there may be miscommunications along the way and this decreases your productivity.
However, don’t forget that there is always a fine line between your work friends and real friends. Read my previous blog post “The Difference between Work Friends and Real Friends.”
