New survey finds employees with workplace friendships stay longer, boosting morale, productivity, and culture
A recent survey conducted by Express Employment Professionals and The Harris Poll suggests that Canadian companies should consider fostering workplace friendships as part of their employee retention strategies.
According to the survey, 94 percent of companies recognize the benefits of workplace friendships, and 85 percent believe employees are more likely to remain with a company if they have friends at work.
More than one-third strongly agree with this sentiment, citing increased productivity, higher morale, improved mental health, and strengthened company culture as additional benefits.
Companies appear confident in their employees’ ability to form workplace friendships, with 77 percent believing it is easy to do so, and 30 percent stating it is very easy.
Many organizations actively encourage workplace friendships by organizing lunch events, peer meetings, company retreats, mentorship programs, and social gatherings such as happy hours.
Additionally, 95 percent of companies believe employees interact outside of work, primarily through texting, phone calls, social media, and in-person gatherings.
However, while two-thirds of companies say their workplace culture allows employees to share personal details during work hours, 66 percent maintain that workplace interactions should remain strictly professional.
Job seekers also acknowledge the significance of workplace friendships. Seventy-eight percent say they are more likely to stay with a company if they have friendships at work.
Many have remained in jobs longer than planned due to these relationships, while some have left positions because they were unable to form connections.
Over half of job seekers say they rely on workplace friendships to get through the workday, and nearly half worry about their ability to build friendships at their next job.
The survey highlights that workplace friendships contribute to improved mental health, enhanced productivity, reduced interpersonal conflicts, and lower burnout rates.
Many job seekers believe these relationships increase their desire to stay at a company long-term and positively influence their perception of the organization.
Generational differences in workplace friendships are also evident in the findings.
Gen Z job seekers are the most likely to value workplace friendships, with 75 percent reporting they have stayed in a job longer than intended due to friendships.
This percentage is higher compared to millennials, Gen X, and boomers. Gen Z respondents are also the most reliant on these relationships to navigate their workday and the most concerned about making new connections at future workplaces.
A significant portion of Gen Z job seekers have left jobs they liked because they struggled to form friendships, a trend less common among older generations.
Despite the apparent value of workplace friendships, not all job seekers feel the need to establish these connections. Nearly half say they avoid engaging with colleagues outside of work, and over half do not feel workplace friendships are necessary.
However, a majority still find it easy to form workplace friendships and engage in various social interactions with coworkers beyond work hours.
The survey also identifies a shift in workplace behaviour in the post-pandemic years. Companies report that employees today are more extrinsically motivated, with raises, promotions, and bonuses being stronger incentives than they were three years ago.
At the same time, some employees are less interested in connecting with colleagues in person, and some companies report an increase in workplace confrontations.
A third of job seekers say in-person workplace interactions have declined compared to three years ago, raising concerns about the long-term impact on workplace culture and employee engagement.
“In today's dynamic work environment, fostering genuine friendships among employees is not just a nice-to-have, but a strategic imperative,” said Bill Stoller, Express Employment International CEO.
“These connections enhance morale, boost productivity and significantly improve retention rates. By creating a culture where friendships can flourish, companies are investing in their most valuable asset: their people.”
