The Ups and Downs of Office Friendships

Having friends at work can make the work day much more fun. It can also have its down sides. Some say you shouldn't mix business and fun, and the same can sometimes be true for office work environments.

Here are the pros and cons of office friendships.

First let's start with the pros of office friendships:

Lunchtime companions. When you have friends in your office you'll always have someone to eat lunch with. If you want to run out of the office for something to eat, you won't always have to drive. You can take turns.

Workday conversation. If the work day is going slow, all you have to do it turn to your office friend for some good conversation. If you have a sense of humor, enjoy a good chuckle and a day filled with laughter.

After work get togethers. Don't want to go straight home after work? You can head to Happy Hour with your office friends. This is even easier if you work the same hours as your coworkers.

Now on to the negatives of office friendships:

No space for privacy. When you're friends with someone in the office, it's hard to get the space you need for alone time. If you have an argument you're also stuck . You also risk spending too much time with a person which can result in petty arguments.

Office gossip. Your business is more likely to be spread around the office if you have workplace friendship. What might seem like an innocent conversation with a coworker can be distorted and passed along from coworker to coworker.

Workplace competition. Some competition can be healthy, but it can also stand in the way of a friendship. You may find yourself competing for the same work responsibilities or position as your office friend. That can lead to rivalry, jealousy and hurt feelings.

It's up to you if you feel having office friendships are worth it. The alternative would be to be cordial with your coworkers but not overly friendly and familiar with them.