Dos and don'ts of office friendships

Workplace relationships are one of the hardest to navigate. Whether or not to add your boss and colleagues on social media, how much to socialise with them outside of work and how much to confide in them are some common questions.

Most people develop warm and friendly relationships with their colleagues, but the boss is a whole different ball game. Here is a guide of a few dos and don’ts for what is and what isn’t acceptable behaviour as an employee, compiled DailyMail.

Dos

Taking a general interest in your boss/manager’s life as a layman and not as an employee goes a long way in nurturing a friendly bond. Taking notice of your boss’s likes and interests outside of work can help strike a chord between you two.

Ask them the kind of success they have attained in their career and also communicate with them regularly about your work. By doing this, it makes them better equipped to help you with problems that can arise later.

Another dilemma that many face is whether or not to add the boss on social media. This is a matter of personal preference and how active that one is on social media. Sort out the pros and cons in your head before firing off a friend or follow request.

It is advisable to develop a friendship with your boss but at the same time know where to draw the line. Don’t share details that you feel could at a later stage be used against you.

Don'ts

Keeping your boss in the loop about any social events including your colleagues is a good idea. “If you're getting together with your colleagues outside of work then be prepared to invite your boss, particularly if the event will become known to them, through social media or office conversations later,” said leadership expert Shelley Flett.

If your boss confides in you outside office hours about confidential things, it would be a good idea to keep the information to yourself. Don’t indulge in gossip because of it. “Like any friendship there will be an assumption of trust and confidence,” Flett said. “Whatever your boss shares with you, respect their right to privacy and keep it to yourself - let them be the ones to share it with others.”

Once you establish a good bond your boss, don’t violate that trust. Don’t miss deadlines, skip up on work commitments pr take extra long lunch breaks. This would then seem like you are taking your boss for granted and it can then erode the trust over time. The personal relationship will be affected along with the professional one.

Finally, don’t try to be your boss’ boss. If he/she accepts suggestions once in a while, don’t overtake the whole situation. While feedback here and there is absolutely fine, don’t offer suggestions on how to do their job better.