One hundred fifty senior executives from within the ranks of the Fortune 1000 as well as 519 full- or part-time workers were surveyed.

Sixty-three percent of employees and 57 percent of executives agreed that becoming friends with co-workers has a positive effect on productivity.

Survey respondents were asked, "In your opinion, when coworkers are friends outside the office, how does it affect productivity?"

Executives provided these results:

Very positively .... 2%
Somewhat positively .... 55%
No effect .... 28%
Somewhat negatively .... 13%
Very negatively .... 0%
Don’t know .... 2%

Employees provided these results:

Very positively .... 22%
Somewhat positively .... 41%
No effect .... 25%
Somewhat negatively .... 7%
Very negatively .... 1%
Don’t know .... 4%

Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps and author of Motivating Employees for Dummies suggests that employers should encourage inter-office friendships by arranging team-building events and encouraging staff activities outside the office.

"Colleagues who are friends are more likely to support one another when presented with challenges or new responsibilities, enhancing workflow and team spirit," Messmer said. "Those who are able to form friendships early on the job are likely to acclimate quickly and stay on board for the long term."

Firozali A Mulla , 03 August 2007 @ 08:52 AM  Good friends are good for business productivity Good friends are good for business productivity Sir One thing I have learnt is, “Never have friendships with the bank manager and a politician.” You just cannot trust when they an all of a sudden: “I NEED THE CASH BACK, as my Chairman is scrutinizing the long due amounts not paid”. For this he will talk to you in the Social Club initially of all the facilities he will grant to you as if he were your only livelihood and the best friend. And what happens? You fall for this as the drink is also stiff at that time. You sign out the agreement to think the next day that is late .To preserve your pride you keep quite. Bang. You have the friend on his toes and on your nerves. Stiff too. Yet each man kills the thing he loves, By each let this be heard, Some do it with abitter look, Some with a flattering word. The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword! Oscar Wilde, The Ballad of Reading Gaol Firozali A.Mulla MBA PhD P.O.Box 6044 Dar-Es-Salaam Tanzania East Africa