The Importance of Making Friends at Work

How to find your fit

Having solid friendships at work matters because they help us feel connected. It also reinforces the feeling that you are in the right place. When you build friendships with coworkers, it creates an overall positive work environment. You can rely on each other, have fun, and be productive together.

Time posted an article sharing research on the topic of having friends in the workplace. They quoted, “Having friends at work can not only boost job satisfaction and performance but also improve wellness. It’s linked to a lower risk of burnout, better mental health, fewer traumatic experiences, and maybe even a longer lifespan,” according to studies conducted by researchers in Spain, Japan, Germany, Iceland, and Israel, among others.

How to make friends at work

Especially as a new employee at a new organization, it can be hard to find where you fit and make new friends. Here are a couple of tips to help:

• Introduce yourself
• Be approachable
• Take the time to learn about your coworkers – and learn their names
• Invite others to eat lunch with you
• Make jokes
• Keep your interactions positive
• Show respect for your coworkers
• Avoid oversharing
• Help new employees feel welcome
• Make getting your work done a priority
• Be yourself

Getting through work burnout, together

Unfortunately, work burnout is real. Things get busy, complicated, and overwhelming at times. Wouldn’t it be nice to never have to experience it? Absolutely! But when you do, it’s a good feeling to know that you have friends at work to get you through. Together, you can work to accomplish difficult tasks and lighten the situation. With that support, you are less likely to experience workplace burnout.

Find your fit at Knute Nelson

Knute Nelson has a fun work culture that naturally draws people into friendships at work. You can experience team-building activities, celebrating milestones and successes, and being a part of collaborating teams. These experiences provide the opportunity to do your best. At Knute, you can find your happy place and feel good about enriching the lives of everyone you serve. Click here to view our openings.