Work friendships: their importance and many benefits

Should you be friends with your coworkers? Having friends at work can be beneficial for both employees and the businesses in general. It creates a sense of belonging, reduces turnovers and increases creativity and innovation, which is all very good for performance.

And when the workload is heavy, your work bestie is also someone you feel accountable to, someone you don't want to let down. That’s why you naturally want to go the extra mile (for them) on a project.

Delve deeper into the importance of work friendships for both employees and employers. Below, you can read about how these relationships create a supportive and engaging work environment. Uncover why cultivating these connections can be a game-changer for your workplace. Work besties might just be the secret to loving your job and having a more motivated team!

Why are work friendships so important?

For employees

1. Great stress relievers

We all know that work can be very stressful. If you're not careful, you might end up suffering from burnout. The ongoing pressure usually comes from different aspects of our lives like work, finances, (mental)health and family. Having friends at work to who you can vent is a good way to reduce stress. A work friend can be a listening ear when things get tough and offer a different perspective or advice.

2. They bring out the best in us

When we're working with people we actually get along with, we're likely to be more productive and produce higher-quality work. This is because positive relationships create a sense of shared purpose and accountability that motivates us to put our best foot forward.

Work besties can also help us when it comes to work in which you're not very confident. They can help us when we most need it and give valuable feedback and ideas that can lead to successful innovation.

3. They just get it

Work friends are different from our regular friends because they see what you do on a daily basis, which creates even better understanding and more relatability. We spend so much time at work, and it feels so good to be able to chat with someone who truly ‘gets’ your daily work life, knows the main characters, and can give you on-point advice for any issues you're experiencing.

4. Freely venting about work

There’s only so much venting about work that people outside of your job can handle. A work bestie, though? They’re just as invested as you! Venting together can help you identify and work through specific problems, so you’re better able to enjoy work over the long haul.

5. More fun

Work besties make work fun because you can laugh about inside jokes together, you have a go-to buddy during work events and it’s so much more fun to work together on different projects. They turn routine tasks into fun moments, they’re your moral support during tough times, and create a positive atmosphere that boosts the mood.

For employers

1. Improvement of the overall business

It’s always nice to have a friendly face in the office, especially when you’re trying to find your way at a new job. Also, having work friends creates a bond that makes teamwork more fun. Feeling seen and acknowledged by your colleagues can make a huge difference. A positive work environment leads to more innovation, creativity and communication, which are beneficial not only for yourself, but also for the entire company.

2. Lower turnover

Employees who have a friend at work are less likely to search for other jobs. Work friendships create a work-life balance that allows employees to enjoy a social life in their workplace. Employee retention is more critical than ever. Employee attitudes have shifted, and money isn’t enough to keep employees anymore.

3. Less burnouts and more productivity

Work can be monotonous. Regardless of the tasks you are performing, you are likely to experience workplace burnout at some point. People who have friends at work are less likely to experience burnout than employees without workplace friends.

4. Increase job satisfaction

Employees who have a best friend at work have less stress, especially in challenging situations. People with close work friends are usually more confident and more relaxed in finding solutions to their problems because they have friends supporting them. When we have a solid support group around us, we're more likely to enjoy our job and therefore focus on the task. Instead of constantly looking at our watch.

Work friendships are the secret ingredient to a thriving workplace. They transform mundane tasks into enjoyable moments, provide a support system during tough times, and boost overall productivity and job satisfaction. So, next time you’re at the office, take a moment to chat with your colleagues, share a laugh, and build those connections. After all, a happy team is a productive team, and who wouldn’t want to work in an environment filled with friendship and fun times?