Article: Ilse Salzwedel from Ideas
Image: Ablestock

Having friends at work makes it a pleasant and interesting place to go to and these friendships could even last a lifetime.

But, like all relationships, there can also be a down side to office friendships. According to Mario van Tonder, a clinical psychologist and consultant for the Work Trauma Foundation, certain office friendships lead to favouritism and disagreements. Moreover, taking someone into your confidence could lead to personal or professional information being compromised.

No matter how professional you are, at some point you might let your friend know what you really feel or think about your boss but what happens when you have a disagreement with that person and they tell your boss what you said?

Perhaps the issue is not really whether you should make friends at work, but how far you should allow those friendships to develop.

Always remember that jobs put food on the table and when pressed to choose between the people they work with and their job, most people will take the job.

So ask yourself whether the friendship is worth investing in and, before making friends at work, keep an eye out for the following types of colleagues:

Creepy Cathy overwhelms you with her friendliness, but her mind is set on using your friendship to advance her own career prospects. Learn to distinguish between someone who mentors and someone who exploits.

Gossiping Gaynor might make sharp, witty observations about people, but she is an unsuitable ally for two reasons: she will put you in a negative frame of mind with regard to your job and your colleagues, plus the people you work with might think you're just like her and start avoiding you.

Groping Gus is the guy you don't want to encounter in an empty lift and whose office you should only venture into when the door stays open. Sexual harassment is serious, if such a person crosses your career path you should always remain professional, try to avoid one-on-one meetings if at all possible, and let another colleague know that the advances are making you uncomfortable.

My-wife-doesn't-understand-me Martin usually chooses people who have recently joined the company to talk to about his failing marriage. Before you know it, you could be involved in a steamy office romance. Be careful. You are just the latest on a long list and his marriage, unlike your relationship, will probably still last for years. Keep your professional distance and refer him to a marriage counsellor.

Exclusive Elle doesn't want you to be friends with anybody but her. Be careful because your other colleagues and your boss will never get to know you, which could mean you get passed over for important projects or even a promotion.

How to make good friends and good colleagues