KarunaNews Story

Having a work buddy helps employees and their workplaces function better, researchers say. Workplace buddies can help us feel emotionally supported or offer to cover our shift if we’re sick or feel overwhelmed. “Everything you do at work will be better when people get along well with each other than when they don’t,” says Stephen Friedman, of York University, Canada. “The things that are difficult become just a little bit easier.” Organizations can make it easier to make those connections. Buddy programs, kindness campaigns, happy hours and making sure people are recognized for who they are—by celebrating birthdays or offering to help when employees go through hardship—can build a culture of care and inclusivity, says Marisa G. Franco, professor at the University of Maryland and author of the bestselling book Platonic. “When we’re friendly with people at work, we collaborate better, we solve problems better, we’re more forgiving of each other, we’re kinder to each other,” Friedman says.