RedwoodAge.com
Got a couple of friends at work? Most folks do. But those friendships are taking on added importance as the Great Recession has put a crimp on careers.
With promotion opportunities limited, the days of workplace rivalries are being pushed aside by a spirit of camaraderie in a way that is reaching the bottom line of companies.
The trend is especially prevalent among women, according to a study by Ranstad, a $24 billion global human resources consultant that recently surveyed 1,017 workers across the US.
In terms of age, boomers were far more skeptical about workplace friendships than younger workers - perhaps because of more experience. But all generations see value in workplace friends.
"It's almost hard to not befriend coworkers given the amount of time many people spend at their jobs, whether due to the current economic climate, job responsibilities or one's own personal work style," said Eileen Habelow, the firm's senior vice president for organizational development. However, she said most workers aren't aware of how their friendships help boost productivity and profits.
"There is no denying that workplace friendships can contribute to a positive workplace culture, including increased productivity and creativity, heightened morale, enhanced personal performance and stronger team cohesiveness," she said.
The study found two-thirds of recipients said their work-friends made their jobs more fun, and 55 percent said friendships make their jobs more worthwhile and satisfying.
Not all workplace friendships are the same, however. Thirty-eight percent said they had colleagues who are personal friends outside the office, but 32 percent said the socializing was strictly work-related. Seventeen percent said the friendships were based only on work necessity.
Only 30 percent realized the friendships add to productivity and just 36 percent felt it reduced turnover. Less than half - 45 percent - said it increased job satisfaction.
About 77 percent of women felt friendships made the work atmosphere more supportive, but only 63 percent of the men. And 42 percent of women viewed coworkers as personal friends while just 34 percent of men felt that way.
The Dark Side
Of course, there are drawbacks. Many employees worry about gossip (44
percent), blurred professional boundaries (37 percent), and conflicts of
interest (35 percent). Just 26 percent think their friendships could make
others feel uncomfortable and only 19 percent thought it could reduce
constructive feedback.
Age affected how workers view friends. Thirty-one percent of battle-hardened boomers said they thought workplace friendships could make others uncomfortable versus just 21 percent for Gen X and only 19 percent for Gen Y. Three in 10 men felt that way versus two in 10 women.
"With so much at stake with developing friendships at work, employees should weigh all of the pros and cons carefully and find a comfort level that is right for them," advised Habelow. "It could be the difference in career success or career suicide."
Not surprisingly, managers are more cautious, with just 49 percent said they would encourage friendships. Seventeen percent said they see a downside to workplace friendships.
More than three in five workers thought it was proper to go to movies, bars or restaurants together, and 57 percent would hang out at a coworker's home. But they drew a line at vacationing together or going on dates. Just 19 percent would share a holiday, and only 7 percent would go on a date with a coworker.
