Friends and the workplace.......

Thank you for starting this discussion! This is what happened to me and some of my friends in the past several years. Firstly, my good friend who worked as a chemist in one laboratory recommended her boss to hire me as a secretary to this firm. I was so grateful to her for this, because owing to this new job I had an opportunity to develop various skills and to be well-paid! We worked there for about 2 years together, and that was great time! We hang around, ate out together and helped each other much in our work, as we worked closely. We supported each other when one of us had problems with our boss! So, after all my friend quitted that job, found a new one where she became a boss herself, and invited me to work with her! We worked together in this firm for one year, and that was great time too! So, this is an example of a good mixture of friendship and work. On the other hand, I also worked with my other friend. Earlier I used to think of him as of a very reliable and honest friend, but our mutual work proved just the opposite. I'm glad it happened, otherwise I would continue to consider him as of a very good friend, and sooner or later he would show his true character. :(

I have a best friend that we worked together for 6 years at the same place we were the best 2-10 shift that they had it was at a nursing home. we worked the same days and even to lunch together. but I know some people that cant work with their friends.

well what a cool atmosphere should be there..... this has happened 2 me once.....

I have been in this situation, where a friend recommended me for a job, and I got it, in fact I ended up working there longer than she did, we were able to keep the concept of work and friends separate. I then later suggested another friend for a job at the same place she didn't work there long, she didn't have the temperment for the place, but it gave her a pay check for a few weeks on a part time job while she was looking for a full time one, so it also didn't affect our friendship. We again kept the concept of work and who were are as friends separate. So that there were no problems at all. I did however become friends with someone I worked with only to find that was just an illusion. But it is a different issue. When working with friends you can "look" out for each other to a point. That is to say you notice something they are slipping on, you bring it to their attention so they can deal with it before it becomes a problem for them, but then I have done this with most of my co-workers, friends or not. It keeps a smoother atmosphere, and most people are open to learning or accepting new things. I also specifically avoided applying for a job despite that I needed one badly because my sister worked for the same place, I didn't want the hassles that may come from that, while it is one thing to keep friends, and work a bit separate, it is at least to my thinking harder to do with family. I do think friendship and work can mix, if both people are reasonable, they know there is a time and place for everything, in fact friendly relations at work makes the days easier, and more fun. It is when people try to take advantage of the friendship, in a way that is manipulative, or selfish, that can create problems at work. Example if you are not doing your job, it is not up to the friend to do it for you, or cover for you, it is up to you to do your job. If you maybe have a question or two then fine, ask, but that is different. I have seen people who think by working with friends they can let work slide, when they don't feel like working, and that just ruins the work enviroment, and usually ruins the friendship.