Friends and work don’t mix?
Well, shortly after posting about some research that says employee empowerment and enlightened management could lead to world peace, I have now run into research that says it’s more and more difficult to have friends where you work.
Why? “Friendship is based on openness and trust and self-disclosure, and in the workplace this can backfire.”
Maybe these two pieces of research aren’t as contradictory as I thought at first. Perhaps if an employer promotes employee empowerment (which encourages employees to feel free to express their opinions), then that would not only cause employees to be better citizens in society (as the world peace research indicates), it would also cause them to be more likely to open up to each other as friends at work.
I don’t know, but both bodies of research are thought-provoking for human resources professionals and other workplace leaders.
About Chris Parker
Chris Parker's practice focuses on the representation and counseling of companies in matters pertaining to the workplace and the protection of their intellectual property and trade secrets. In addition to serving as an advocate for clients, Mr. Parker is also trained as a mediator and frequently serves as a third-party neutral.
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About Jimmy Daniel
Jimmy Daniel provides counseling to businesses of all sizes related to the employment relationship. He assists in the drafting of employment agreements, policies, and handbooks, as well as provides guidance related to compliance with federal, state, and local legislation such as the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
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About Larry Bridgesmith
While serving in an Of Counsel relationship with the firm, Mr. Bridgesmith also serves as the Executive Director at the Institute for Conflict Resolution at Lipscomb University and as an officer and principal in Strategic Resolutions Group, LLC. In these roles, Mr. Bridgesmith brings over 30 years of legal experience in dispute resolution and innovative workplace strategies to clients, students and business entities alike.
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