More than a third of workers (38%) have colleagues they consider friends and with whom they interact outside of work, according to Ipsos. Women (42%) are more likely than men (34%) to have such workplace friendships.
Some 45% of women say their families know their friends from work, compared to 34% of men. A third of women (33%) discuss personal matters with their work friends, compared to 26% of men. Men (42%) are more likely than women (32%) to say it is smarter to keep their work lives and personal lives separate.
Fewer than half of managers (49%) and non-managers (29%) support the development of such friendships among coworkers. However, most employees say that such friendships create a more supportive workplace (70%), increase teamwork (69%), improve morale (56%), and enable sharing of knowledge and open communication. [Workforce/
Employment, Human Behavior]
Source: “Workplace Friendships,” Ipsos, Nicolas Boyon, SVP, 1700 Broadway, 15th Fl., New York, NY 10019; 646-364-7583; nicolas.boyon@ipsos.com; www.ipsos-na.com.
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