In today’s business industry, employees over-strain themselves to be able to support themselves and their families financially. But what does that do to their health, well-being, and relationships? Overworking is very common in today’s society, especially in the U.S., which ranks 10th among the world’s most overworked population (Woole, 2022; BetterUp). As a student, I had several internships working at night to gain experience working in industry. Even at 9 p.m., the office was full of keyboard noises and people running from the printer to their desks. It was awkwardly silent and not a single word was exchanged while people worked frantically. Overworking leads to side effects such as stress, reduced work quality, and energy depletion (Chan, 2019; Wong et al., 2019). Although employees might seem resilient to the stress at the moment, longevity is also important for a company’s success. Employees that cannot last in the long term will also affect the company because hiring and training new employees takes a lot of time, energy, and resources. What could really improve the situation of stress and overworking? Having healthy and positive relationships will improve not only a company’s success but also employees’ well-being and their likelihood of sticking with the organization (Prossack, 2021).    

           To first understand how relationships play an influential role in employee and company well-being, let’s examine the different types of relationships in the workforce. As past research shows, while work stress is caused by work overload (i.e., having more work than one is able to complete), long hours, job insecurity, and conflict between co-workers are also among the top causes of work stress (Department of Health & Human Services, 2010). Research shows that conflicts between co-workers can lead to poor performance and, in turn, can negatively affect the company (Department of Health & Human Services, 2010). Furthermore, if conflicts between co-workers are not resolved, tension could potentially increase within the workspace (Department of Health & Human Services, 2010) and individuals might feel unsafe when they step foot into their own office. Given that it is important to maintain positive relationships, what are the different types of positive workplace relationships?  

           There are six main types of workplace relationships: co-workers, team members, work friends, mentors, managers, and work spouses (Woole, 2022). Starting with the workplace relationship with the lowest level of closeness, co-workers are people with the same goals and vision that you work along in the company. You do not really see them outside of work, and you do not typically work on the same projects with them. Team members are people who work in the same office or group as you. Although you do not have a personal connection, you share mutual respect and passion for the company and strive toward the same goal (i.e., you are on the same team). Work friends are people you hang out with often at work. It could be during lunch, breaks, and occasionally you hang out with them outside of work. In terms of closeness, work friends could be similarly close to your day-to-day friends. Mentors are people you go to for guidance and navigation within the organization. They guide you to the correct path and hold you accountable for your responsibilities. These are usually people you look up to since they are knowledgeable and you have a special mentee connection with them. Managers might seem stereotypically intimidating, but they are essential to your work relationships. They have power over your salary, position, and workload. They also take responsibility for your work.  Therefore, they are people you can depend on in the long run. Finally, the last and most intimate relationships you can have in the workforce are work spouses. You can call these people “your BFFs,” as in individuals you can hang out with outside of work and depend on any time you wish.

           So how can you maintain these workplace relationships? The key to building stronger and more lasting relationships in the workplace is to cultivate a deeper connection with one another (Prossack, 2021). However, this might not be as easy as it seems, as some individuals might not be open to making new friends or they are just timid. Personally, I have anxiety about approaching people and making new friends. Since I cannot read their minds, I am constantly in fear of being judged for every action I take. Because of that, insecurities arise, and I end up not talking to anyone, closing the chance of making new friends. But that chance is not something you have to worry about if you cultivate the right interpersonal skills and the right mindset. First, if you can communicate well with your co-workers; that is a good start to building a deeper connection (Prossack, 2021). Good communication does not mean saying “Hi" to people once in a while. It means actively engaging in the topic that is being shared whether it is sharing ideas, giving updates, or sending reports. It could also involve active listening, which ensures the person you are communicating with feels heard and respected (Prossack, 2021). This is particularly important in the workplace because you need to work together. Thus, it is important to communicate well with your co-workers. 

           Cultivating these interpersonal skills can help you build lasting relationships in the workplace, thus helping the employee and company thrive and move towards their objective. Managing relationships is a hard task, so companies will take time to adapt, as will everyone, to make a company successful, not one person. What type of relationships do you have at work? How could you improve these relationships to move one further step closer and create a more meaningful bond? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References:

6 signs to spot if you’re being overworked. BetterUp. (n.d.). https://www.betterup.com/blog/working-too-much 

Prossack, A. (2022, November 9). 4 ways to build stronger workplace relationships. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashiraprossack1/2021/03/30/4-ways-to-build-stronger-workplace-relationships/?sh=5961cbd65513 

Wong K, Chan AHS, Ngan SC. The Effect of Long Working Hours and Overtime on Occupational Health: A Meta-Analysis of Evidence from 1998 to 2018. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Jun 13;16(12):2102. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16122102. PMID: 31200573; PMCID: PMC6617405.

Department of Health & Human Services. (2010, May 24). Work and your health. Better Health Channel. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/work-and-your-health