Why Making Friends At Work Helps Build Your Career

Some people say "I'm not here to make friends" when they talk about work. That's fine, but the truth is having friends at work leads to longer-lasting, more fulfilling work experiences. Here are some reasons why.

Jeff Fermin of OfficeVibe shared some survey results that shed light on the real benefits of having friends in the workplace. Here are some of the best ones: n.

• Employees feel like their opinions matter to their coworkers and their boss.
• 50% of employees with a best friend at work reported a stronger bond with their company. Having close friends at work will make you like the company you work for more.
• They're 1.3 times more likely to receive feedback on their progress in the last 6 months.
• They reported being 1.4 times more likely to receive praise in a week than those who don't.
• Employees say they have the opportunity to do what they do best every day.

These are just a few of the reasons it's great to have friends at the workplace. While the "do my job and go home" mentality feels safe, the truth is that you'll benefit drastically working with people you like, and many reported refusing higher paying positions because of it.

Employee friendships make for a happier, healthier, and more productive company culture and workplace atmosphere. After all, you spend 8 or more hours a day at work. No one wants to spend that much time around people they don't like.