We've often heard that 'people make the company,' but what does that really mean? Although managers sometimes forget the importance of building and maintaining good relationships among employees, recent research shows that friendly relationships in the workplace are directly linked to achieving good business results, fostering a sense of security, and retaining employees.
With the emergence of the pandemic, the significance of friendly relationships is growing, as is the likelihood that employees with friends at work will more often recommend their employer to others, show greater satisfaction, and be more engaged. With the introduction of hybrid work models, friends at work become a key social link to the organization. Not only do they become important for maintaining collaboration and communication, but they also provide the greatest support during challenges, changes, and difficult periods, leading to overall well-being.
Why should every organization encourage a friendship-friendly workplace and how to achieve it?
4 Reasons to Encourage Friendship in the Workplace:
1. Improved Employee Mood
Spending time with friends boosts mood and fosters a positive attitude. Employees who have friends at work engage in meaningful conversations, genuinely laugh, share successes, and celebrate achievements and positive moments. One of the most beautiful aspects of friendships among colleagues is that they enrich each other's daily lives.
2. Better Coping with Stress and Challenges
Friends provide genuine support, which is particularly significant in the context of stress management, burnout prevention, and coping with daily challenges. A recent study conducted in Sweden found that strong and close friendships are significantly associated with longevity because they lead to a healthy mental state, so it's no surprise that friendship in the workplace plays an equal role.
3. Assistance in Tough Times
Although friends cannot solve all problems, they can provide comfort. Therefore, friendly relationships are the most important form of social support, crucial in tough times. Without social support, there is a greater likelihood that employees will experience isolation and loneliness – feelings that often lead to depression. Colleagues who truly know, understand and listen to each other share advice and provide assistance, both professionally and personally, helping to overcome problems more quickly and return to day-to-day business.
4. Greater Sense of Belonging
Friendship is usually formed among like-minded individuals, which positively affects self-esteem. Colleagues who have friendly relationships encourage each other when needed and often serve as an additional stimulus and motivation for faster growth and development.
The Most Modern Employee Wellbeing Program
By participating in Future Resilience, the most modern well-being program dedicated to employees' mental health, every company can provide employees with workshops for successfully coping with daily challenges and help them establish a balance between private and professional life.
Within the Future Resilience program, psychologists familiar with various psychotherapeutic approaches answer individual personal questions, facilitate open discussions among employees, and provide program participants with support in dealing with current stressors. The program covers numerous topics, including friendship, which represents an important area of skill development. At the end of the program, employees know themselves and others better, have deeper relationships with colleagues, and know how to manage their emotions.
Future Resilience is increasingly being embraced by companies that are taking mental health care to a new level, and you can learn more about the program on the official website of the most sought-after well-being program in Croatia.
