Insights / Career Advice
Friendship and Jealousy in the Workplace
This article offers guidance for handling friendship and jealousy issues that arise when workplace roles change, using a relatable example of two coworkers.
Keep work and friendship separate, remembering your job responsibilities come first. Have an honest, private conversation with your friend/coworker about feelings and expectations, and be truthful about any changes in behavior. Finally, accept that relationships change over time and be open to reshaping your friendship, even if that means it exists mostly outside of work.
Overview
Realize work and friendship should be kept separate. That is, an employer pays for you to do a job and that should be your priority.
Privately discuss the situation with your friend/coworker. Consider each other’s feelings and future expectations of your roles at work. Be honest about changes in behavior. If you’re Jenny, are you fulfilling your responsibilities or secretly expecting a “break” because Amy is also your friend. If you’re Amy, are you allowing your new position and coworkers to interfere with your long-term friendship with Jenny?
Accept reality. Relationships inherently change over time – especially when circumstances change. Expect differences to settle out and don’t be afraid to forge a new path for your friendship – even if it happens mostly away from the workplace.
Frequently asked
Should work and friendship be treated the same way?
No, the article advises realizing that work and friendship should be kept separate, since an employer pays you to do a job, and that responsibility should be your priority.
How should coworkers handle friendship tension caused by a workplace change?
The article suggests privately discussing the situation, considering each other's feelings and future role expectations, and being honest about any changes in behavior toward one another.
What should friends expect if one of them gets a new position at work?
The article says relationships inherently change over time, especially when circumstances shift, and encourages accepting this reality and being willing to forge a new path for the friendship, even outside the workplace.
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