Is your workplace home to a tightly-knit group of people? Perhaps you wish everyone was more closely bonded, or maybe you wish it was less.While some employers might not pay the subject much heed at all, new research from Gallup has connected strong friendships at work with high employee satisfaction. Arguably not rocket science, but its findings say that people with a best mate at work are seven times more likely to be both productive and motivated to do the job.
Workplaces are often all about commitment and relationships – both core values of Atlantic Resource. If you take pleasure from certain relationships in the workplace, if you can enjoy a laugh while getting the job done, the chances are high that you’ll be generally happier and more committed. And you might also be more willing to be flexible when needed, putting in a few extra hours here or there.Relationships in the workplace are obviously highly important. Many will spend more time with colleagues over a working week than they will with their own families and friends. And 70 per cent of people say having work friends is crucial to a happy working life.Employers benefitCEOs might not place it at number one in a list of priorities, but a good spirit and strong bonds in a workplace can clearly work to their advantage. In an environment that tends to achieve a regularly upbeat mood, staff retention can be good, and it might encourage loyalty and even creativity. If a fear factor is eliminated, or at least reduced, staff might feel comfortable trying something new that may or may not work; but which could ultimately boost productivity.Trust developed between colleagues can help to form a stronger unit. Again, this can only help to achieve business objectives.
There are major business benefits in colleagues getting out of the workplace together.
- Leave the workplace: Whatever or wherever it is, even if there’s not much else nearby, make the effort to leave the confines of your working environment. This can be refreshing and help usually quiet staff to open up. From active team ‘away days’, to a quick coffee or a bite to eat, it can all help.
- Change the workplace: introduce a regular change, from a few beers on a Friday, a dog or two on site, a table-tennis tournament around Wimbledon time.
- Find common ground: Of course, you might all be different people from different backgrounds with different interests. But other than an employer or working environment, there’s likely to be some common ground somewhere. By talking openly and honestly, you have more chance of finding what this is, which can act as a springboard for new activities. Maybe you discover a shared support of a charity, which could lead to a sponsored run.
- Lighten up: Unless you’re a stand-up comedian or a professional clown, workplaces are necessarily serious. Work has to get done; business objectives need to be achieved; respect has to be given and earned. This doesn’t mean you should be paralysed into never using humour or having a laugh. When appropriate, you should also be relaxed about speaking with seniors and juniors, or taking yourself too seriously. It needs to be carefully measured and judged, but the ability to laugh at ourselves can be a strength.
Friendships and strong relationships in the workplace are clearly beneficial to businesses and staff. These new research findings are not revolutionary, but serve as a good reminder that employee satisfaction can be improved and a better working environment can be provided, if a team or group is consistently well-bonded.If you’re seeking a new workplace in office, construction, catering or care, get in touch.
