{"id":1504,"date":"2018-02-12T12:57:46","date_gmt":"2018-02-12T12:57:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phlebotomyexaminer.com\/?p=1504"},"modified":"2018-09-14T16:36:40","modified_gmt":"2018-09-14T16:36:40","slug":"bad-idea-to-make-friends-at-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phlebotomyexaminer.com\/bad-idea-to-make-friends-at-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Is It a Bad Idea to Make Friends at Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"
We spend a lot of time at work. When you have a full-time job, you’re usually there for at least eight hours. Your co-workers can end up feeling like your only confidants when you’re working. But, it’s not always a good idea to become close friends with the people in the workplace.<\/p>\n
You might have some things in common with your co-workers, and there’s no reason not to talk with them during your coffee break. But, there is usually a difference between real, genuine friends and the friends that you make at work. In fact, if you become too close to your co-workers, it can sometimes lead to significant problems.<\/p>\n
Is making friends at work an asset or a liability? Some people can make it work. After all, you end up spending a good part of your day with them. Unfortunately, it’s that same idea that can end up making a friendship turn sour. If you end up falling out with someone, it can create a negative working environment for everyone.<\/p>\n
Getting together with your co-workers for a few minutes at a time isn’t a problem. It’s normal to want to have people to talk with throughout the day. But, letting them into your personal life isn’t always a good idea.<\/p>\n
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This guide will explore the reasons why it’s a bad idea to make friends at work. It might feel like a controversial subject since you probably spend a lot of time during the day with these people. But, there is a difference between being friendly and social, and letting your co-workers in on every detail of your life.<\/p>\n
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Think about your closest friends and the things you tell them. Would you want your co-workers to know the same information? Many times, we let our co-workers be our friends out of convenience, but it can lead to problems at work. If you’re still not convinced that it’s a bad idea, let’s dive into a few reasons why you should be cautious about at-work friendships.<\/p>\n
When you share something personal, or maybe even embarrassing with someone, you should have confidence that they’ll keep it to themselves. Telling your co-workers all about your ‘dirty laundry’ can put you at risk for keeping things private. We live in a world where social media reigns supreme. If your co-workers decide to share your secret stories all over Facebook or Twitter, it could lead to a lot of embarrassment.<\/p>\n
It doesn’t have to be that extreme to cause problems. Perhaps you consider yourself close to a few people you work with and tell them something personal. Before you know it, that personal information has circulated the office. For some reason, a workplace can quickly turn into a free-for-all when it comes to gossip. If you don’t want your co-workers meddling in your personal affairs or talking about them with other people, it’s best not to dive too deep into a friendship.<\/p>\n
A workplace environment isn’t exactly the best place to get to know someone’s real personality. Usually, people are putting their best foot forward in a professional setting. You might get along with someone well, but there’s a good chance they aren’t fully able to be themselves at work. Think about it this way \u2013 are you the same at your place of employment as you are with your other friends and family?<\/p>\n
The person that works in the cubicle next to yours might be friendly and fun to talk to throughout the day. But, maybe on the weekends, he goes to bars and clubs you wouldn’t spend your time in. You might have different ideas of fun outside of the office atmosphere.<\/p>\n
Additionally, you might want to spend time with someone outside of work only to find that they don’t like the same activities as you. So, you’re the one who ends up getting rejected. Either situation can either hurt or cause embarrassment. If either person gets their feelings hurt or decides they don’t like the other’s activities, it can make your time working together awkward and embarrassing.<\/p>\n
Unless you love every aspect of your job, there’s a good chance you don’t want it to be the topic of every conversation. Unfortunately, having friends from work can make your career your only talking point. You might think you have a lot in common with the people you work with. But, sometimes the only thing you have in common is the job itself.<\/p>\n
You might be able to talk about the job for a while, including your likes and dislikes. But, when it becomes the center of every conversation, it can get tiring. It’s a clear sign that you and your co-workers probably don’t have as much in common as you might have thought. Talking about work when you’re outside of the office can get tiring quickly.<\/p>\n
Remember in high school when it seemed like everyone had their specific group of friends to hang out with? Sometimes it worked, other times it made people feel excluded. Unfortunately, a workplace environment is often no different. Cliques are common in office environments<\/strong><\/a>. If you’re new to the building or don’t fit in with a particular circle, it can create some awkward tension.<\/p>\n If you’re in a ‘competing clique,’ it can also create tension and may reflect poorly on your work performance. Your time in the office shouldn’t be focused on friendships, including friendships to avoid. Businesses, where everyone can work together in an open environment, are healthier and more productive for everyone involved.<\/p>\n You might think you have a few close friends at the office. But, what if you and your best friend were up for the same promotion? Or, what if you were buddies with your boss, but when they had to discipline one of your actions at work it created problems? Mixing friendships in the workplace is dangerous for this reason. When it comes down to it, most people are still going to be looking out for themselves at the end of the day.<\/p>\n If it sounds harsh, that’s because it is. It’s easy to assume your ‘friends’ wouldn’t do that. But it’s unlikely anyone would turn down a big raise or compromise their leadership because you’ve gone out for a few drinks after work before.<\/p>\n Because of this, getting too attached to the people you work with can be dangerous. They can let you down quickly and walk all over you if it benefits them. But, they could also be holding you back from getting what you want out of your job. You shouldn’t feel obligated to give up a promotion or work harder because your work friend wants the same thing.<\/p>\nYou’re in Competition with Them<\/h4>\n
You Can Compare Yourself to Others<\/h4>\n