Did you know that employees who have meaningful relationships at work are seven times more likely to take fewer sick days? Friends at work also prove to be considerably more engaged in their jobs, treat customers better, have fewer workplace accidents, share their opinions and collaborate more, and feel more committed to their current company.
If you’re a business owner or leader, here’s what this means: Creating an environment where friendships are encouraged and nurtured at work benefits both the company and the employee. (Imagine if your employees demonstrated all of the behaviors mentioned above!)
The term ‘work family’ is used frequently as coworkers and colleagues describe and appreciate the friendships they have within their team and workplace. At work – where we spend most of our time – it’s incredibly beneficial to have someone you can relate to, feel support from, and share good and bad experiences. Having friends at work is not only important for personal happiness, it’s invaluable for having a successful career (and business).
Furthermore, personal connection and friendships at work help boost moods, morale, and emotional strength to deal with the stressful things that are thrown at us throughout the course of the work week (and beyond).
Keynote speaker Shasta Nelson has devoted her career to studying how imperative healthy relationships are in the workplace. She now shares her knowledge and research with organizations around the globe through her powerful keynote programs. In her recent article, Shasta states, “Far too many people — managers and employees alike — still believe that the workplace is no place for friendship. They mistakenly believe that either work will suffer at the act of socializing and the supposed “drama” that we associate with relationships, or conversely, that their friendships will feel strangled if they are tied up with work issues.”
She further poses the question, “How do we make work relationships the best they can be – both for the sake of the employee and the mission of the company?” Teaching healthy relationships skills that will benefit the entire workplace is exactly what Shasta does.
Employees who understand the benefit of healthy relationships:
- Increase their engagement in your company by 7 times
- Ensure employee retention
- Contribute to the #1 factor for their health and happiness
If you improve the relationships within your organization, you will see improved results and bottom line growth.
In her program, The Business of Relationships: Developing Health and Happy Employees, Shasta teaches the best ways to build a culture of friendliness in appropriate, effective, and healthy ways. Filled with fascinating research, funny, and engaging, this program helps audience members identify the three requirements of all healthy relationships and how they work together in their organization.
Bring Shasta to your upcoming meeting or event by clicking HERE.
