Boosting productivity and retention through friendship

New research revealed that more than half of Aussie workers aren’t friends with their colleagues. Is there more that employers can do to encourage team bonding?

The study by Orange Sky found that 55 per cent of workers across the country are not friends with their workmates. However, 19 per cent said they’re keen to get to know their colleagues more, highlighting that more effort can be made by employers to build sociable teams.

Helping to turn this data around is The Sudsy Challenge by Orange Sky. During September, the initiative encourages participants to spark conversation with those around them at work. The challenge aims to raise money for homelessness in the process.

“Team challenges like The Sudsy Challenge are an incredibly beneficial way to encourage Aussies to build connections and start conversations. They encourage people to step outside their comfort zone and talk with those around them who they might not normally interact with – like work colleagues,” said Lucas Patchett, co-founder and chief executive of Orange Sky.

“Our research shows that employees want to get to know their colleagues, but they may not know how to start these types of conversations. The good thing is that there are so many different ways to build connections, and The Sudsy Challenge provides a simple platform to make this happen.”

Not only is having friends at work beneficial to personal wellbeing, it can even boost productivity. A study by Gallup found that workers who had a best friend at work were much more likely to:

• Engage customers and internal partners
• Get more done in less time
• Support a safe workplace with fewer accidents and reliability concerns
• Innovate and share ideas
• Have fun while at work

Making work more enjoyable by having friends around you can also be an effective retention strategy for businesses, which can assist in attraction too.

Orange Sky people and engagement manager Jo Senz commented: “Team building and employee engagement strategies don’t have to be awkward ice breakers and can instead be engaging activities that help us rethink the way we interact with our colleagues, as well as boost overall inclusivity in the workplace.”

“Individuals aren’t just looking for career progression and a good pay cheque when applying for jobs these days – they are looking for an exciting company culture, supportive managers and room for building friendships. Through creative interactions led by management, employers are doing their part in creating a safe, positive and supportive environment for their employees.”

Jack Campbell

Jack is the editor at HR Leader.