Can a Boss and Employee be Friends During or Outside Work?

A friend asked me one time if I can consider my boss as a friend? Then I answer her quickly “Yes! Absolutely. Some people say that it is not good to be friends with bosses but I will disagree. I believe that influencer is power and in order for you to have it, you need someone to mentor you or guide you. Bosses are the nearest network you have to acquire that power. As a person, you need to grow and learn how to become a leader too. For me, the one person that helps me out to attain my highest potential is my boss which also my friend, and I also consider him as a family. 

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So can a boss and employee be friends at work? 

Do you know that when an employer hires an applicant in a position for their company they usually focus on the potential of one individual and the positive traits of the applicant? Like if you are looking for a friend you always seek common interests and also if that friend will be able to help you and be at your side through good and bad times. Your bosses hired you not alone with what skills you have but one thing that they consider is if you can work and be a blessing to everyone in the team.  If an employee is a blessing to his boss he would definitely want to know you better and want to work with you. Work attitude is important, like things to consider on winning a good friend you should be also a good friend as well. As an employee and also a friend to your boss working hard is required to win his trust which eventually be gained because the trust would be always the foundation of everything in our life. If you are the kind of person who values trust and integrity your boss will definitely see that as a great asset in the company but also in his life, remember that relationship is one tool that we can start as we grow but a good relationship with your boss will sustain your career path and help you out to elevate your potential. Even if during office hours a boss friend can cheer you up and support you then as an employee friend to a boss you can support him by doing your best to your work. 

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Why do some people say bosses should not be friends with their employees?

One thing I can see is that for a boss to maintain the necessary degree of authority they must remain somewhat aloof. On the other hand, a business relationship and being too close to anyone's employees can make others feel you playing favorites. Lawsuits abound… Keep everything 110 percent professional and work-focused to protect yourself and your employer.

Please note that there is a difference between the position of a boss and a friend.

Boss is your senior and he has to keep you at a distance or keep you formal because he has to command you or control you which can't be done in friendship.

Friendship is an informal relationship where you can't have command and control because in friendship both friends are equal but in boss and employee relationships there is no equality one is senior and the other is junior.

Once we’re done with business, we can put our friendship to the test. You have to be very careful if you use the very word ‘friendship’ at work. Bosses can be friendly towards their employees but there should be clear boundaries.

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What are some disadvantages of being a boss friend and employee friend? 

Restricts Effective Criticism

Overstepping words may hurt an individual. So sometimes if you are a boss friend and an employee friend did something wrong or unexpected it may sometimes give a second thought correction or feedback because you may hurt one's feeling of your friend. 

Risk of Favoritism

In the workplace, favoritism refers to a situation where someone in a leadership position demonstrates favor toward one employee over others. This is usually unrelated to their job performance and instead occurs due to a personal bond of friendship shared between the two. From this, the favored employee may receive more advanced projects or promotions than others who have better qualifications. They might also receive fewer or no repercussions for tardiness or inability to meet deadlines.

Lack of Work-Life Balance

 Pros and cons of friendship in the workplace can include bosses who hire friends and family members often feel entitled to ask them to work late or give up their weekends. On the other hand, hiring friends and family members can make it difficult to make necessary cuts in hours or payroll, even when layoffs or pay cuts are necessary for the company's survival. Employees who are friends risk over-sharing their personal lives, bringing unproductive drama into the workplace to the detriment of their own performance as well as the productivity of their coworkers.

How we can balance friendship between a boss and an employee?

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You can be able to balance friendship between a boss and an employee by giving respect to each other whatever your position in the team. A boss should not only be a friend to an employee but be like a family to them too. Once an environment of respect, trust, loyalty, hard work, honesty, and, most of all humility between a boss and an employee the balance of friendship and working professionals will be established and provide a good working environment towards one another. 

Always note that the glory of friendship is not in the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is in the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Reference:

Indeed

Chron