Comments on: Your Tips for Managing Personal Relationships at Work

By: Yolande Conradie

Yolande Conradie — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 08:15:18 +0000

In reply to Gregory Runyon. You're welcome. The golden rule is to remain professional at all times. After all, everybody prefers dealing with a professional rather than an unprofessional person.

By: Gregory Runyon

Gregory Runyon — Sun, 25 Aug 2019 16:29:50 +0000

Really so interesting article with a lot of information. Many many thanks for sharing with us the great tips.

By: Midgie Thompson

Midgie Thompson — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 09:18:30 +0000

In reply to Ocheli Emmanuel. I think the key points you make about maturity and professionalism is really the key that makes the difference to friendships or relationships in the workplace! Without that, there can be negative consequences and impact on the workplace. - Midgie, MT

By: Ocheli Emmanuel

Ocheli Emmanuel — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 16:11:24 +0000

In any organization, relationship in the work space is only natural and inevitable. Friendship among team members engenders support and a positive factor in goals as long as maturity and professionalism is maintained. However, romantic and dependent relationship is likely to be damaging to a team's/organizational attainment; and, should be given very deep thoughts or at best be avoided.

By: Midgie Thompson

Midgie Thompson — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 09:04:01 +0000

In reply to Paul Waweru. Thanks Paul for sharing your thoughts. I think we could debate for a long time the merits and downfalls of personal relationships at work. For me, there is a fine line between when a relationship is ok and when it becomes distracting or destructive in the workplace. Midgie, MT

By: Paul Waweru

Paul Waweru — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 10:12:34 +0000

while i do agree the topic is quite tricky to make a line, there is fundamental question to ask, If we cannnot start genuine relationship at the place of work without challenge of drawing the line, where in life will we have apple time to meet and be fully acquittance with one another for future genuine relationship?
As early as schooling time we get warned of getting so much involved with friendship on expense of education. College level the same. At internship warning are posted all over. Where then can relationships be tested? Would there be enough time to learn each other well enough?
Let us dialogue on this relationship at places of work.

By: Yolande Conradie

Yolande Conradie — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 06:53:49 +0000

In reply to Mbuthia Stephen Waititu. True, unless everybody is able to be mature and professional about it and realize that work is work, and friendship outside of work can't influence what happens in the workplace. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Yolande, MT

By: Yolande Conradie

Yolande Conradie — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 06:52:35 +0000

In reply to Bev. Thanks for sharing the story of your workplace with us, Bev. It sure sounds like a great place to work. It also goes to show that it's possible to have friendships with colleagues outside of the workplace, and still keep it professional at work. It takes a high level of emotional maturity, but if most people act that way a person who acts differently is going to stick out like a sore thumb. Obviously, there are also clear rules and boundaries that definitely help. Yolande, MT

By: Mbuthia Stephen Waititu

Mbuthia Stephen Waititu — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 05:14:57 +0000

I believe in proffessionalisn in place of work.where relationship between opposite sex can develop some gossips, jealousy, conflicts among workmate this will jeopardize productivity, morale team work goes down.some employee can decide to resign.

By: Bev

Bev — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 19:22:02 +0000

Interesting comments, mostly suggesting that friendships at work be avoided. Here is a different perspective. The company where I work actually encourages friendships and relationships outside of the workplace. It is felt that it increases Morale and when we see the "other side" of our "away from work personalities", we are less judgemental and critical of people when they make a different decision than we may have wanted. We actually work better together. We become more comfortable around one another and we are more likely to approach a co-worker with a concern if we know that person as a friend. We have a very active social committee; there are board game nights, a night at horse races, or a football game, casino nights, laser tag, family picnics, bocce ball, golf tournament, paint night, or let's order in lunch or have a pot luck and all have lunch together. We have "mixers" where the CEO begins by giving everyone an update on what's new in the business, what's coming up and any other changes happening, then we bring our lunch and beverages and we mingle, hopefully with someone we've never worked directly with before (We are approx 350 people with many departments). We have an annual Fiscal year end party, Christmas party and childrens Christmas party. We learn to respect one another. We laugh together and support each other through difficult times. We learn empathy and it is reflected in the workplace. On at least 4 occasions over the last 15 years we have collectively donated extra vacation time to an employee with a family member who was very ill, We have chosen to donate our own vacation time to a coworker so that they can be away with their loved one without losing pay. As a group, we have donated anywhere from 5 to 9 months of vacation time (anywhere from a few hours to a whole week each) to an employee in need of it. We have several married couples working here and a few siblings or parent/"adult child" relationships. The only rules surrounding working with someone you have a personal relationship is that they may work in the same department , but never is one at a higher level than another. (ie one is never a manager over a family member) and we don't call parents mom or dad (or any endearment) when at work. We use first names to keep it at a professional level. In fact its first names for everyone including the president and the directors and vice presidents (of various departments) Our business is over 50 years old and this has always been the way it is here. It is considered a very good place to work