This document discusses the benefits of workplace friendships but also provides guidance on how to navigate them appropriately. It notes that research shows employees with workplace best friends are more engaged, productive, and less likely to be injured. However, as a boss, friendships cannot replace responsibilities. The document offers dos and don'ts for leaders, such as expressing interest in employees but also remembering their role as boss. It provides five ground rules for handling workplace friendships, such as managing boundaries, including non-friends, avoiding gossip, treating all employees equally, and identifying relationship needs. Overall, the document advocates for workplace friendships but cautions not to let them interfere with professional responsibilities.

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Welcome All

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WORKPLACE FRIENDSHIPS

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“Social Relationships are a Good
Predictor of the Happiness of
Employees at Work”

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Friendships at work may seem like a potential distraction to
productivity, but research from “Gallup” points out that employees
who find a best friend at work “are seven times as likely to be engaged
in their jobs, are better at engaging customers, produce higher quality
work, have higher well-being, and are less likely to get injured on the
job.”
DO’S AND DON’TS OF WORKPLACE FRIENDSHIPS
Workplace friendships clearly have a lot of bonuses. However, when
you are the boss, workplace friendships are more complicated. You
may consider yourself friends with your employees, but friendships
cannot eclipse your responsibilities as a boss. The following list of DO’s
and DON’Ts will help leaders navigate workplace relationships.

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DO express interest in your staff
DO ask them about their Responsibilities
DO remember that you are the boss
DO respect your employees’ privacy
A
B
C
D
DO’S OF WORKPLACE FRIENDSHIPS

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DON’T show Favouritism
DON’T forget to ask about challenges
DON’T let them forget you are there
to monitor things
DON’T let friendship get in the way of
hard conversations
A
B
C
D
DONT'S OF WORKPLACE FRIENDSHIPS

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“We build strong relationships….”
• This includes relationships with customers and colleagues.
• You can determine the parameters of these relationships.
• In other words, you may not want to invite employees
over for dinner parties.
• However, it is important to talk and connect with your
employees.
• Building strong relationships at work will create an
atmosphere of care, respect and appreciation and will help
everyone work together more effectively.
IMPORTANCE OF RELATIONSHIPS

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“BEST FIVE GROUND RULES
THAT GIVE YOU GUIDANCE FOR
HANDLING WORKPLACE FRIENDSHIPS”

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Manage
Your
Boundaries
Include
Non-Friends
in Work
Projects
Avoid
Office
Gossip
Treat Every
Member of
Your Team
Equally
Identify
Your
Relationship
Needs

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Friends at work will make you happier and more
productive – but remember not to spread yourself too
thin….

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