Many of you work at least 8 hours a day and see the same people every day. Therefore, it makes sense to become friends with your co-workers. However, have you ever thought whether your work friends are your real friends?
There’s a difference between your true friends, who support you during tough times and whom you love inviting over for dinner, and your work friends, whom you see at lunch or happy hour because you’re in the same office every day. It can be tough for young professionals to tell the difference since many of us form friendships in school. You attend classes, meet new people, and make friends, leading some to think it’s the same in the workplace. However, a work environment is quite different from school; it’s more structured and has more rules. Just because you see the same people 40 hours a week doesn’t mean they will become your best friends. While it’s possible to find a true friend at work, it’s generally rare. I suggest asking yourself a few questions to see if this person is just a work friend or a real friend.
- Do you hang out with your friend outside of the office and especially on the weekends?
- Do you know your friend’s other friends outside of the office?
- Did you meet your friend’s significant other?
- If you and your friend are up for the same promotion and s/he ends up getting the promotion, would you be happy for her/him?
- If your friend quit work, would you still meet with her/him?
If you answered ‘yes’ to all of these questions, congratulations, you have found yourself a true friend at work. If not, it might be best for you to keep some distance with your work friends. Below you can find few tips.
1. Set Boundaries: Don’t discuss your personal matters with your work friends.
2. Don’t Gossip: Don’t gossip about others in the office especially about your boss or supervisor. You never know maybe this person seems like a friend to you but actually s/he is not!
3. Don’t Take Everything Personal: Remember, this is an office and you have to cooperate with others to get things done. Therefore, if you have a problem with one of your work friends, it is best to solve this problem immediately.
4. Be Professional: No matter what happens, you should always be polite and professional.