Friends in the Workplace You work with a group of people, usually 12 hours a day, several days a week, they literally become like family, and at the very least are very good friends. Just how close should you get to your group of workplace friends? Benefits of Friends at Work During the times that you are not super busy, it’s nice to have a friendly chat with a buddy, and if they are right there, it is especially easy. When you are having a bad day at work, who better to understand then a friend, and another nurse as well. Friends at work can be there to back you up when needed, and make work easier, but friends can also be there as friends. Work friends can share in your accomplishments, and be there for you when you have those disappointments, that’s what friends are for. It’s pretty simple to see that friends in the workplace can be a good thing, however there are some potential consequences to workplace friends as well. Related: The Patient behind the Room Number Disadvantages of Friends in the Workplace The first obvious reason that friends in the workplace can have negative consequences is friends, no matter how great of friends you are, will have disputes. Most friends do not spend 12 hours a day with one another, which can be an added strain that is a lot of hours to be around anyone in such a stress filled work situation. Not only is there a chance you can become annoyed with your friend, you can also become annoyed with your coworker that just happens to be your friend. Then, regardless of everything else, you are not afforded the opportunity to take have a cooling off period. Friends can take a few days break; friends that are coworkers do not have that luxury. People tend to take sides when they learn of a dispute, which ultimately leaves a 50/50 chance that you will have more than one person annoyed with you, and again, they are not just friends, they are your coworkers that you will spend 12 hour shifts with. Balancing Friends in the Workplace There is no reason to remain friend-less at work. You can have friends, and still maintain a good standing with coworkers as well. Be realistic, set some ground rules that when you are friends, you are in friend mode, however when you are coworkers, you are in worker mode. If you have a disagreement as a coworker, try to discuss it as coworkers; don’t bring your
friendship into it. Discuss only the work problem at hand. When you have a friend disagreement, remember your professionalism as a nurse, and continue that as if nothing is different. When you are working, you have a number of people counting on you, and your judgment can not be swayed because you are upset with a friend/coworker. This is a time to agree to disagree, put things on hold until you can sit down and discuss the situation as friends. You can balance a friendship/coworker relationship; it just takes some effort, and communication with your coworkers. Provided everyone is on the same page as to drawing the line when it comes to work, and keeping friendship aside when necessary, things will be fine. The main component of having a great friendship with coworkers is open lines of communication. Lack of communication is all too often the major component of a disagreement, and if you improve the communication, it lessens the chance of disputes. Related: Common Intestinal Disorders Make a pact with close friends at work, that in the event you have a friend issue, you both agree to put it on hold until after work, never let it interfere with your duties, it could cost you a job, or even worse, cause harm to a patient. There was a couple, a husband and wife that worked in the same area of the hospital, in fact at the same section of rooms. They eventually ended up working the same shift together, however they stuck to the rules of work being work and personal time being completely different, and it worked just fine, they maintained a great working relationship for 9 years before transferring to other areas. Yes, it’s possible, one can never have to many friends, so go ahead and befriend those coworkers, just be careful not to let the friendship interfere. Related: List of nursing organizations Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest and Twitter