It’s important to always be aware of the advantages and disadvantages associated with having close friends at the office, in order to regulate the balance between work and play.

At every new job you begin, you meet new people. After a few months of seeing the same group of people every day, various versions of social relationships are bound to bloom.

On day one you’re strangers. But by day 365, you’ve taken numerous lunch breaks together, after-work pub crawls, and gossiped about how horrible management has been. And just like that, you’ve created a little social group you can officially refer to as ‘work friends.’

But is it healthy to work with friends?

Humans are naturally social beings. We connect, we collaborate, and we interact. Whether you're an introvert, ambivert or extrovert; Capricorn, goat, or Life Path Number 6; head or heart person; or even the office bully or slightly psychopathic, you still spend about 40 hours a week amongst other people who, too, have unique personalities.

As you mature, it becomes harder to meet new people (especially compare with your buzzing social life during your school days). This means your new friends automatically become the new people you meet at work. That’s why it’s quite natural to create unique bonds with your co-workers. While you may or may not grow close enough to attend each other’s weddings or kid’s birthday parties, work friends definitely develop unique relationships. 

But if you do become besties, it’s important to always be aware of the advantages and disadvantages associated with having close friends at the office, in order to regulate the balance between work and play.

Pros of working with your bestie:

• Research has found the sense of camaraderie helps improves our quality of work.

• Having a work buddy increases job satisfaction.

• Having someone who acts as a security blanket within a highly stressful environment can be a great stress reliever.

• Having a common purpose promotes company loyalty.

• Team projects are completed in good spirits.

Cons of working with your bestie:

• Research has found that those who maintain real friendships at work are more emotionally exhausted.

• Too much time spent to together causes strain, potentially making office life uncomfortable for everyone involved.

• You may talk about work too much, even over weekends and vacations, and never truly switch off.

• A change in environment can confuse your loyalty: are we friends or colleagues first?

• Cliques and other ‘Us vs Them’ groups may form.

If you have mastered the art of balancing professionalism, productivity and fun at work, then you’re on a really great path.

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