Over half of employees consider work colleagues to be their best friends.
This is according to research conducted by www.hampers.com, a site where you can order hampers for friends, which found that 52 per cent of workers think their co-workers are close friends.
This news comes as the Government has banned the meetings of more than six people in a group, indoors or outdoors, in order to curb the spread of COVID-19 from 14/09/20 onwards.
It was also found that it takes on average eight months working together for colleagues to become close friends.
Also, the majority (87 per cent) of workers consider their co-workers to be friends. The top five reasons why employees think their colleagues are best friends are:
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- I spend the most time with them – 63 per cent
- We tell each other everything – 53 per cent
- I enjoy spending time with them, in and outside of work – 47 per cent
- We’re always texting/messaging – 38 per cent
- I feel they truly care about me – 23 per cent
Out of the employees whos spend time with each other outside of the workplace, 58 per cent said they have introduced them to their partner. With over a third (35 per cent) introducing them to their family.
In addition, 83 per cent believe the relationships that are made in the workplace contribute to their overall happiness at work and plays a factor in them staying loyal to the company.
Patrick Gore, managing director of www.hampers.com, said
We can easily spend upwards of 35 hours a week with the same group of people, so it’s great to hear that some of those workplace friendships extend past the workplace. Not only does it make going to work five days a week more enjoyable, but it also provides entertainment and gives people a confidante in the workplace where they can share their thoughts, feelings and more.
Darius is the editor of HRreview. He has previously worked as a finance reporter for the Daily Express. He studied his journalism masters at Press Association Training and graduated from the University of York with a degree in History.
