Do you have a best friend at work?

Some experts argue that having a good friend at the office can improve your morale and increase the likelihood of staying with your current employer. Others disagree and believe that friendships in the office can lead to favoritism, heartache and decreased productivity.

There are facts as well as numerous real-life case studies to support both positions.

On the “pro” side, i.e., saying that best friends at work are a good thing, we have The Gallup Organization, well known for its surveys and management consulting work. One of Gallup’s 12 questions for determining the core of a strong workplace is, “Do I have a best friend at work?”.

Gallup’s research has found that people who have developed friendships at work have a greater sense of belonging. Employees who like each other and feel understood tend to communicate better, share common goals and develop a sense of trust. Most would also agree that work days go by more quickly when you get to interact with people that you like.

And when you are having a bad day or facing a tough challenge, it is helpful to have a friend at work to turn to for a listening ear or some sound advice. It is clear to see how this can lead to improved organizational outcomes.

With the topic of employee engagement increasingly popular these days, Gallup’s research on the correlation between having a best friend at work and employee engagement is of particular interest.

Recently, a new book on the topic reports that those with a best friend at work are seven times more likely to be engaged on the job. And it is not just employees in a certain age group who feel that friends in the workplace boost their productivity.

USA Today published survey data on August 2, 2007, that indicates both Baby Boomers and Generation Y feel that there are benefits to working with friends, their spouse or significant other. This positive feeling experienced by more than 60 percent of business owners and managers in the survey applied to improving both work and home lives.

It also appears from the data that it was not just “feel good” experience that people were referring to, but a genuine improvement in their work performance. While an uptick in actual performance might be harder to track, the USA Today article included a number of colorful examples from employers who have witnessed the upside of friends at work.

Tom Rath has written a book on the topic, titled, “Vital Friends: The People You Can’t Afford to Live Without. His findings show that employee satisfaction can be boosted by 46 percent if there are close friends working together. And again, that happiness accrues to employees’ home lives as well where those with buddies at work are 88 percent more likely to be in good spirits.

Still, there are those who contend that getting chummy with your co-workers is not advisable.

On the “con” side, i.e., those contending that best friends at work are a bad thing, various local and national experts can be found expressing their views in articles, self-help books and seminars.

One common theme here is the old notion of separating work and home. The experts caution that your career can be negatively impacted if co-workers get to know you on a personal level. Another resounding caution is given to employees who have friendships with co-workers who might currently be peers but someday may be subordinates.

Many friendships have suffered due to promotions that cause former friends to have to dole out orders and conduct performance appraisals for former buddies.

Experts on both sides of the aisle agree that feeling comfortable in the workplace is critical to job satisfaction and employee engagement. However, friendships tend to have ups and downs, both on and off the job. The prudent person would proceed with caution, at least initially.

Be friendly, approachable and empathetic, but at the same time don’t make the office your only resource for friends and confidantes. In most cases, true friendships will not lead to a host of trouble.

From an employers’ perspective, the data might suggest that managers should be doing all that they can to encourage friendships around the office, in the field and on the shop floor. Evidence proves that some organizations are facilitating a number of initiatives to encourage camaraderie through the use of strategic teams, project work, social outings and other traditional and innovative techniques.

Given all of the data on this intriguing topic as well as my 30 years of experience in the workplace, I have a strong opinion on the topic. From my vantage point, the jury is not out and there is a solid evidence to suggest that friends at work are good for young and old alike. For those of you who have good friends at work, you know where I am coming from.

Mary Lynn Fayoumi, CAE, SPHR is president & CEO of The Management Association of Illinois. Contact her at 630-682-4444 or at mfayoumi@hrsourece.org.