In one of the classes that I taught last semester, we discussed workplace friendships. I am referring to the closer connections, rather than the coworker acquaintanceships that are often a part of jobs or the romantic relationships that are often discouraged in workplaces. Is it ok to be close friends at work? Several places in our textbook (Harden Fritz and Omdahl, 2006) suggested no. There are concerns of favoritism, particularly when the two friends are at different levels in the organization. There are problems with potential awkwardness should you both need to compete for a promotion. One of the people I interviewed as part of my dissertation expressed frustration about being told that she would be competing against her best friend for a promotion. And what if the friendship should go bad? This book suggested a degree of professional civility, which seemed to include limiting friendships at work. I can certainly appreciate the logic in those arguments, but some of my most fulfilling friendships have been people with whom I worked. What are your thoughts on being friends at work?
Reference:
Harden Fritz, J. M. & Omdahl, B. L. (2006). Problematic relationships in the workplace. New York: Peter Lang Publishing.
Filed under: Office Politics, Organizational Culture | Tagged: coworker relations, Friends at work, office relationships, Organizational Culture, professional civility
