Would you agree?
A new study shows more than half of people consider their co-workers to be their closest friends.
The research by Hampers.com looked at how happy people are at work. The team asked more than 2,200 workers in the UK about how happy they are at work.
The findings reported in Tyla.com show that 52% of people said one or more of their colleagues were among their closest friends. Meanwhile, 47% of respondents said they socialise with their close friend co-workers outside of the workplace. 4 in 5 people also said that having a bestie at work helps their overall happiness within their role.
The study also showed that it takes an average of eight months for a work colleague to become a best friend.
Out of the people who say they hang out with their co-workers outside of the office, 58% have introduced them to their partner while 35% have introduced them to their family.
But why were people so close to their co-workers? Here are the top five reasons according to the survey:
1. I spend the most time with them - 63%
2. We tell each other everything - 53%
3. I enjoy spending time with them, in and outside of work - 47%
4. We're always texting/messaging - 38%
5. I feel they truly care about me - 23%
Patrick Gore, Managing Director of Hampers.com said it's easy to see why we form such close bonds with co-workers:
"We can easily spend upwards of 35 hours a week with the same group of people, so it's great to hear that some of those workplace friendships extend past the workplace."
