Workplace Friendships

The number one workplace requirement we hear from job seekers is a good team environment with the opportunity to work with great co-workers. Job seekers rarely cite money as the top reason for taking a job. Instead, wanting to work with fun and skilled co-workers, people they can sit with at lunch and shoot the breeze with, is the most requested and most desired reason for taking a job.

In the potentially isolated and technology based world that we live in today, employees are increasingly finding that their entire social network is work related. Work can be a fantastic place to meet best friends, and maybe even a mate if the stars are aligned.

But co-workers still need to be cautious and aware of normal workplace occurrences. Various situations naturally arise at work because it is work, not leisure activity time. Some people are competitive and others are supportive, some employees are technical and others are creative, some are introverted while others are extroverted. It takes all kinds of people to make the world go around and the same rides true for businesses. Inherently, employees will do what works for them first, thinking of teammates second. Sometimes competition may arise for a promotion, to save the job, get a bonus, or win a contest at work. Sometimes friends may cover each others’ butts or over protect each other for fear of losing the friend or their friend’s job.

Every clique is different, every team is unique, and every person is an individual, but workplace circumstances seem to be fairly common. Most workplaces have turnover. Let’s face it, jobs and employees don’t last forever. Employees move, get pregnant, get sick, get bored, get mad, get better offers, get laid off, or move along some other way in the turnover world. When deep intimate relationships form at work, it may keep employees happier and longer than a usual term. But along the same line, when one person leaves the workplace, regardless of the reason, feelings of abandonment, isolation, and sadness can arise amongst the remaining employees. Co-workers may go through some deep emotional challenges when friendships are forced to change, even if only physically.

The 2009 layoffs affected the emotional well being of friendly teammates far more than the financial hits. Employees should be aware that the workplace is an environment where friendships are possible and hopeful, and the social aspects of work are available. However, work still needs to be a place to earn a living, increase skill level, and make connections. Employees coming and going is a natural part of business. Even if it is not a comfortable part of living, it is evolutionary and usually necessary. Be thankful for change and growth in the workplace, and the relationships developed along the way.