Why Is It Good To Have A BFF At Work?
Most people would agree that having close friends is one of life’s joys. As we’ve learned through lockdown, maintaining contact with a close social circle is an essential pillar for our resilience and wellbeing. There are other relationships which have a significant effect on our daily lives and those are the ones we build with work colleagues.
According to the 2021 Workplace Friendship & Happiness Survey by Wildgoose, 57% of people say having a friend in the workplace makes work more enjoyable, 22% feel more productive with friends, and 21% say friendship makes them more creative.
See the full survey here: https://wearewildgoose.com/uk/news/friends-in-the-workplace-survey/
These numbers are understandable. For many people work is a means to an end, for others it’s their happy place. However, as all jobs come with stressors and unexpected events that may be out of our control, having a friend in the workplace can help make our time happier and more purposeful.
So why is it good to have a BFF at work?
When you have close work friends, you can enjoy personal rewards that positively impact your career. Here are some of the top benefits of having a best friend at work:
Work friendships increase job satisfaction.
According to the Wildgoose poll, workers with close work friends experience higher levels of job satisfaction. They are happier and less likely to leave the company. A 2018 Gallup poll found that those who have a best friend at work are twice as likely to be engaged in their jobs, are better at engaging customers, produce higher-quality work, have a greater sense of well-being, and are less likely to get injured on the job.
Workplace friends reduce burnout and boost productivity.
Workplace stress can result in low employee engagement, poor employee performance, and a lack of focus and productivity. Individuals who have friends at work are less likely to experience burnout than those without workplace friends. Workers who aren’t experiencing burnout are more productive and happier.
Workers who report having a best friend at work have lower stress levels.
Both the Gallup and Wildgoose surveys found that people with close work friends were more confident and composed in finding solutions to their problems because they have friends supporting them.
So here are our takeaways:
- Friendships at work can boost employee engagement, job satisfaction and productivity.
- Employee turnover is lower in companies with cultures that prioritise trust and inclusion.
- Business owners and managers can help create a safe and social environment that promotes friendship, collaboration and inclusivity.