Should You Be Friends With Your Co-Workers?

Being around the same people for a large part of your day can blur the lines that set your friends apart from your colleagues. Join LAKSHIKA PINTO  as she analyses the pros and cons of befriending your co-workers.

- Lakshika Pinto

When people tell you to keep your work and your personal life separate, the first thought that comes to mind is not to bring work home or maybe not to be distracted at Sunday brunch with the fam, replying to work emails. As the theory works both ways, this means keeping your personal life out of office and thus not trying to be pals with the peeps at work. But, is being friends with your colleagues really that bad?

Back in the day, a colleague didn’t necessarily equate to a friend. In fact, being “professional” was considered to mean keeping everyone at arm’s length and maintaining a somewhat more distant self when within office premises. However, it’s quite visible that this stiff workplace behavior is no longer common amongst the increasingly younger workforce. Midweek happy hours at the local watering hole, Sunday morning mimosas, potluck game nights and many more social gatherings amongst co-workers have resulted in strong friendships that have lasted even after leaving a particular workplace. The question is, how do these newfound bonds affect our careers?

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