On the surface, having a friend in the office seems like heaven on earth. You can openly gab about anything on your mind, you work better together, and it seems like you guys are a package deal. Not to mention, it’s always nice to vent to someone who understands exactly what you’re going through. But, is that workplace friendship all it’s truly cracked up to be?
As nice as it seems, office camaraderie isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes, it can cause more harm than good, especially when it comes to your performance. After all, it’s hard to vie for a promotion when all you’ve done is spend time at the water cooler. So, before you recruit someone into your circle, let’s explore whether or not it’s actually a smart idea.
The Fun Stuff First
Say what you want about reduced productivity—having a friend in the office is awesome! You don’t need to spend every weekend together, but breaking down those walls allows you both to share vulnerabilities and openly discuss what’s bothering you. Even if nothing comes of it, that impromptu therapy session gets the blues out so you can truck on.
Depending on your workspace, office friendships can actually increase productivity as well. Working with someone you trust lets you both divvy up tasks, collaborate on ideas, and burn the midnight oil together. Studies even show that micro-breaks (around ten minutes or less) boost vigor and reduce fatigue; when you have a friend to chat with between tasks, your mind is better off.
Further studies acknowledge that workplace friendships also increase innovation, a cornerstone contributing to a company’s longevity and employees’ happiness. The more chances an employee has to befriend someone—and the longer that friendship lasts—the stronger the tie with their company. Usually, when people feel alone, they don’t care if a place sinks or swims, but with friends aboard, they’re more likely to try and right the ship.
The Not-So-Fun Stuff
Okay, that all sounds great! So, what gives? Surely there can’t be that many obstacles preventing a friendship. The thing is, those very relationships don’t always work out the way we want them to—just like romantic ones. Workplace friendships can cause all sorts of drama, especially if you’re aiming for a promotion or notice any favoritism.
The biggest issue is blurred lines. It’s one thing to have a friend at work, and it’s completely different to have one outside the office. Do you meet up for drinks and complain about your boss, or have they met your kids? Establishing boundaries can make all the difference between a friend for life and one of convenience—accidentally crossing them not only hurts the relationship, but it also strains work performance.
Speaking of which, work friends inevitably distract you. While there’s nothing wrong with grabbing lunch, it’s another story to fart around and miss deadlines. Remember: this isn’t high school, it’s a workplace, and employers won’t take kindly to immature behavior. Your relationship could hurt even more if you’re the only one slacking; if your friend maintains a better attitude, they’ll get bumped for promotions, leaving you in the lurch and probably resentful, which won’t do your connection any favors.
So, What Should You Do?
Real friendships grow organically, regardless of where you meet someone. The more time you spend together, the more trustworthy they become, and you can easily determine whether or not you’re headed for a lifelong friendship. However, if you notice that you don’t really have the same interests or personality, you can always keep things professional.
To be honest, it’s always better to keep things professional, even if you two develop a closer bond. You can always chit-chat outside of work, but the more you drag everyday behaviors into the office, the easier it is to slack off and put your tasks on the back burner. Don’t assume people won’t notice your bond either; cliques are a very real aspect of toxic office culture, and if you boot people out, you won’t look good.
At the end of the day, there’s no harm in scoping out the office and sticking with the right people. The hardest part is knowing just how close you two actually are, and the only way to find out is to see how things play out naturally. Until then, do yourself a favor and keep it workplace-friendly. The more professional you are, the easier it is to walk away from a bad situation, too.
Keep in mind that the office is a solid place to network, not to focus on budding friendships. If one comes out of your time there, great! If not, you’ll at least have strong relationships with people who could connect you with prosperous opportunities or toss your name in the hat for a promotion. Either way, it’s a win-win.
