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.
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.
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.
Comments
Post a Comment