Having a best friend at work makes the job more fun, with studies showing that it increases retention and leads to greater employee satisfaction. But bonding with colleagues has become harder for many people in the new world of work – and some employers worry that is harming company culture and operations. In a recent US Gallup survey of hybrid workers, just 17% said they had a best friend at work, down from 22% in 2019.
Should you make an extra effort to forge friendships with colleagues?