Survey reveals the double-edged nature of workplace friendships: while 69% have made close friends at work, 70% frequently observe favoritism.
GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico, Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- MyPerfectResume® a leading career and resume service, announced today the findings from its Friendships in the Workplace report, which polled 1,000 American workers about their experiences with the multifaceted nature of workplace friendships.
The results found that while nearly 7 in 10 workers report forming close bonds with colleagues, these relationships come with challenges—94% have observed conflicts arising from workplace friendships.
"These findings portray the dual nature of workplace friendships—while they foster collaboration, productivity, and satisfaction, they also introduce challenges like favoritism and conflict that can impact team dynamics," said Jasmine Escalera, career expert at MyPerfectResume.
Other key findings include:
- 73% of respondents credit friendship connections with enhancing collaboration, productivity and job satisfaction.
- Most (69%) of workers report forming close friendships with one or two colleagues, and 27% say they've made many close friends at work.
- However, 70% of workers frequently observe favoritism resulting from workplace friendships.
How Workplace Friendships Form
Workplace friendships take root through various interactions. According to the survey:
- 42% met their closest work friends in person at the office or company events.
- 31% formed friendships virtually through tools like Zoom or chat platforms.
- 26% developed close bonds through a mix of virtual and in-person interactions.
However, 6% of respondents never engage in non-work activities with their colleagues, and 37% rarely do.
The Benefits of Workplace Friendships
Despite potential complications, workplace friendships offer numerous advantages:
- 46% experienced increased collaboration.
- 42% reported greater job satisfaction.
- 38% said friendships improved productivity.
- 35% felt more motivated, while 31% found a better work-life balance.
- 16% attributed a raise or promotion to their workplace friendships.
"These results highlight the potential for workplace friendships to foster collaboration and satisfaction. However, it's clear that navigating these relationships requires balance," said Jasmine Escalera, career expert at MyPerfectResume.
The Downsides of Workplace Friendships
While workplace friendships often foster collaboration and improve team morale, they are not without their challenges. Many workers report experiencing negative effects that can impact both their professional and personal lives:
- 31% experienced worsened work-life balance.
- 29% noted decreased motivation.
- 28% reported lower job satisfaction.
- 23% felt a reduced sense of belonging.
- 25% found their judgment or decision-making compromised.
Favoritism is another significant concern related to workplace friendships, with many workers acknowledging its prevalence. This can lead to perceptions of unfairness and strained team dynamics:
- 70% of workers frequently observe favoritism in the workplace.
- Only 1% say they've never witnessed favoritism
The Role of Comfort and Trust in Workplace Friendships
Workplace friendships often provide a valuable source of support, with the majority of workers feeling comfortable confiding in their colleagues:
- 69% of workers feel somewhat comfortable sharing personal matters with work friends.
- Only 12% say they are not comfortable confiding in colleagues at all.
These relationships are strong enough to rival bonds formed outside of work. When comparing workplace friendships to those with outside friends:
- 48% feel closer to their outside friends, but 34% say they're closer to work friends.
- 18% feel equally close to both, highlighting how meaningful workplace friendships can be.
Moreover, friendships formed at work often endure beyond the workplace itself, as 65% of respondents say they are likely to keep in touch with colleagues after leaving their jobs.
Friendships and Work Environments
The environment where employees work significantly influences their ability to form and maintain workplace friendships. Whether on-site, remote, or in a hybrid setup, each work arrangement offers unique opportunities and challenges for building connections among colleagues:
- 44% say on-site work is most conducive to friendships.
- 39% believe remote environments make it easier to make connections.
- 7% prefer hybrid setups.
"Workplace friendships bring unique opportunities for connection and collaboration but also require professionalism and boundary-setting to avoid conflicts," Escalera said. "Balancing these relationships is key—while they can improve teamwork and morale, overly personal ties may blur boundaries and lead to favoritism or difficult decisions. The strongest workplace friendships are those built on mutual respect and a shared understanding of professional priorities," said Escalera.
For detailed insights on friendships in the workplace, access the full survey report at https://www.myperfectresume.com/career-center/careers/workplace-friendships or contact Elizabeth Buccianti at [email protected].
Methodology:
The findings provided were gathered through a survey conducted with 1,000 employed American respondents in May 2024. Participants were queried about friendships in the workplace, responding to various question types, including yes/no questions, open-ended questions, scale-based questions gauging agreement levels, and questions that permitted the selection of multiple options from a list of answers.
About MyPerfectResume
MyPerfectResume is the leading resource for resume advice and expert customer care to help professionals elevate their career with the perfect resume. Created to take the hassle out of resume-writing, the user-friendly program offers professionally crafted templates, expert tips, step-by-step guidance, and valuable career advice to effortlessly create an outstanding resume, CV, and cover letter. Since 2013, MyPerfectResume has helped more than 15 million job seekers create their perfect resumes and has been featured in Forbes, Yahoo! Finance, and more. Stay connected with MyPerfectResume's latest updates on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X.
Media Contact
Elizabeth Buccianti, MyPerfectResume, (407) 463-8865, [email protected], https://www.myperfectresume.com/
SOURCE MyPerfectResume; MyPerfectResume
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