For many employers and business owners, seeing that their employees develop friendships might represent a risk more than an advantage. Many managers still believe that when employees become friends, their productivity suffers and less work gets done, but this is far from the truth. There are so many benefits of making friends at work that employers should actually work on promoting this kind of work environment. It makes work more enjoyable, our employees feel supported, it gives them a sense of belonging, they get motivated and become more productive, and work matters for them more.
It Makes Work More Enjoyable
We all enjoy spending time with our friends, as their mere presence already has a relaxing effect that can help us get through the bad parts of life. This is also true for having friends at our workplace. When we spend time without friends, regardless of the situation, it makes time go by faster, making everything more enjoyable, including our job.
You Will Feel Supported
Our friends are an essential part of our support system, and this is one of the most amazing benefits of making friends at work. If we are having a bad day, or if we are annoyed or overwhelmed by a meeting or a presentation, talking to our coworkers can have a calming effect. This is especially true when our coworkers are also our friends. Spending our breaks together, sharing experiences, and asking for advice is much easier and more effective when we have friends at work.
It Will Give You a Sense of Belonging
Feeling lonely, uncomfortable, and out of place can be a reason for employees to quit shortly after being hired. However, one of the benefits of making friends at work is that it can help us adjust to our new workspace better, giving us a sense of belonging. This in turn can help reduce the learning curve of new hires while also reducing turnover at our company. Besides, working on an environment that feels welcoming and supportive can increase employees’ productivity and satisfaction.
You Will Get Motivated and Be More Productive
Several studies have shown the detrimental effects of isolating workspaces on motivation and productivity. Working in isolated cubicles and feeling disconnected from your coworkers can make you feel disconnected from your tasks, too, which reduces productivity. On the other hand, when we have friends at work and we can spend time and interact with them, we feel more motivated and become more productive.
Your Work Will Matter More to You
When we work in an environment that fosters the sense of a community, we stop looking at our job as nothing more than a list of tasks we have to complete before our shift is over. Seeing how everyone else is passionate about their job is contagious, and we learn to care more about our own job, being more passionate about it and thriving to accomplish something more than our daily tasks. That’s why having friends at work is important, and this should be a top-priority for every single employer today.
