How to manage friendships in the workplace
Friendly relationships between employees can typically benefit productivity and company culture, but it’s generally good to consider the following aspects.
Friendships between employees and supervisors
Work friendships between supervisors and employees may require special attention to manage well. You might restate the importance of impartiality and professionalism to all employees. To avoid supervisors developing an affinity bias, consider offering training about types of bias at work and how to overcome them.
Meeting with managers or supervisors about their workplace friendships and setting expectations may help. You might also offer managers workshops about ethics and relationships at work to give them tools to handle various interactions positively.
Favoritism
Evaluate employees regularly and maintain records of those evaluations to avoid favoritism in the workplace. This can show your team you assess every worker using the same standards and can support more objective decision-making. A formal employee recognition program could also create an unbiased method of showing appreciation to your team members.
Conflict resolution in work friendships
Even in the best friendships, conflicts can arise, and that’s an opportunity for growth and better understanding. Encouraging open, respectful conversations can help resolve issues and strengthen the friendship and team dynamic.
Personal and professional boundaries
Encourage employees to embrace the positive aspects of personal and professional relationships. By setting healthy boundaries, employees can enjoy fulfilling friendships while staying focused on their roles and responsibilities, contributing to a productive and harmonious workplace.
The advantages of having work friends
Encouraging your team to develop friendships and becoming friends with the people you manage can benefit the organization. Work friends can help boost employee morale and even reduce absenteeism among your team.
Friendship can also lead to better understanding and communication, which could improve collaboration. However, employers need to take steps to maintain respect and reduce favoritism in the workplace.
Why employees have work friends
Full-time employees spend most of their waking hours at work, so it’s natural for them to develop relationships with colleagues. Working for the same organization also creates a common interest, which could lead to friendships outside the office.
If your organization has a positive, inclusive environment where people feel comfortable with one another, you might increase the chances of fostering friendships. Finding new friends at work can also indicate an employee is adjusting well to their new work environment.
Should you encourage employees to be friends at work?
Relationships are likely to form among your team members whether or not you encourage friendships. Some work friendships might happen because of the programs you offer.
For example, an employee referral program can encourage current employees to recommend friends within their professional network. Social outings as a company may also give employees a chance to learn about each other outside of the office.
FAQs about work friendships
Is it unprofessional to have friends at work?
Having friends at work generally isn’t considered unprofessional as long as the relationship doesn’t interfere with expected workplace behaviors. This means all parties involved perform their duties well without receiving preferential treatment. As a company leader, you can help ensure workplace friendships remain professional.
How can you encourage work friends to set boundaries?
Honest communication can be an effective approach. If you notice a friendship at the workplace is crossing boundaries, you may need to discuss the situation with the employees involved. Most people can accept reasonable boundaries if a manager discusses the situation with respect and sensitivity. It may also be helpful if everyone feels their issues have been heard and understood.
