Relationships between coworkers – research
Almost a fifth of white-collar workers believe that relationships at work are one of the main factors influencing job satisfaction – according to the latest study by rocketjobs.pl. September, the time when we return to our daily tasks after the holidays, often means a return to the office for adults, where they spend most of the day with their colleagues. The job portal has examined what office relationships are like today, how important they are for employees and what expectations they have in this area.
In a study conducted with a sample of 1,500 office workers from three generations (X, Y, Z), respondents were asked how important relationships with colleagues are to them and what they expect from them. Almost a fifth admitted that the office environment and the quality of relationships have a major influence on their satisfaction. Respondents considered a good environment and good relationships with colleagues in the office to be the most important aspect (67 percent of responses) related to relationships in the work environment. The events of recent years: the pandemic, the need to work from home and the spread of remote work have been a challenge for building team bonds. However, it seems that interpersonal contacts at work are still important to us. What exactly do we value in relationships with colleagues?
What do we expect from colleagues?
For the vast majority of respondents (51%), the most important thing is the substantive support received from colleagues – the possibility of consultation and the availability to help with carrying out tasks.. The value of this contact is most often appreciated by women and older generation workers. Equally highly rated is the opportunity to exchange knowledge, skills and mutual inspiration (53%), which, like help with tasks, is most appreciated by Generation X (59%). Just over a third of employees (35%) indicate the emotional support they can receive from the people they work with. This need is particularly evident among younger Generation Z workers (38%), for whom issues of well-being and mental health at work are often a priority. However, above substantive values, employees value the feeling of “being on the same wavelength” with their team members – 7 in 10 of them, in each age group, believe that getting along well and having a similar sense of humor is the best influence on a good working environment.
Is friendship at work possible?
You might think that in today’s world, when remote and hybrid work has become the norm, workplace friendships are becoming less important. But is that really the case? About a third of office workers believe that it is very important to establish and develop relationships at work, which can extend into their private lives. This factor is most important for Gen Z workers (35%) and least important for Gen X (24%). The bonds and friendships formed at work often last longer than the period of employment at a given company and sometimes become the beginning of deep friendships and even love. Interestingly, the study shows that employees in the IT industry are more willing to form relationships between men and women at work.
Work environment and employee mental health
Good relationships with colleagues and a friendly office environment also have a huge impact on our mental health.. Laughter, which is a natural result of positive interactions, has a positive effect on our well-being and reduces stress. A sense of belonging and satisfaction of the need for recognition in the workplace increases self-confidence and motivation. It is also easier to face everyday challenges in a group, which strengthens the feeling of support and solidarity.
A good working environment is a benefit to the employer
Good relationships at work are crucial to the success of an organization, especially in a diverse and dynamically changing environment. In my experience, strengthening bonds between teams increases employee engagement, motivation and loyalty, which has a positive impact on reducing turnover. It is also a good idea to employ so-called happiness managers who are responsible for employee well-being and building a positive organizational culture, for example by organizing atypical onboarding meetings or supporting group activities – says Paulina Świątkiewicz – HR Business Partner at job portals rocketjobs.pl and justjoin.it. In distributed teams or teams that work entirely remotely, regular meetings and open communication are crucial to help build mutual trust. All of these activities strengthen relationships and a sense of belonging, which translates into better business results for the company, she adds.
Relationships at work and remote work
According to the rocketjobs.pl survey conducted in spring 2024, only a fifth of respondents want to work exclusively stationary, while the most desirable mode is hybrid work, preferred by 51.2%. participants. However, 27% opt for remote work. matters. This shows that we value flexibility, but at the same time we do not give up offices and need contact with other people.
