Lifestyle:

Best friends distracting at workplace

RELATIONSHIPS: A study into workplace relationships has found having a close friend at work can be a major distraction.

Respondents cited excessive chatting, having too much fun and an inability to separate work from play as contributing to a lack of focus.

Giving critical feedback, wanting to avoid showing favouritism and issues with confidentiality were among the other difficulties with having a best friend at work, according to the research.

"When faced with a work-related problem many people will prioritise their friendship over their responsibilities to their organisation, which businesses may find concerning," said psychologist and Auckland University of Technology lecturer, Dr. Rachel Morrison.

"Workplace friendships are like a double-edged sword. The benefits of a friendly workplace can be really positive, but organisations should be aware of the potential difficulties and how to manage friendships at work."

According to the study, many people were concerned about going 'softer' with their friends and being expected to treat them with special privileges.

"People naturally want to make their friends feel special, but this conflicts with organisational practices or norms that are set up around fairness and equality. Difficulty in managing these expectations can create tension in the relationship."

"Respondents also experienced a great deal of anxiety about speaking to close friends about substandard work. A basic rule of friendship is being non-judgemental and accepting your friends' weaknesses, but giving critical performance feedback conflicts with this.

"We also found issues related to confidentiality practices, which could mean friends have to refrain from sharing information. This can be really challenging for close friendships that have norms of openness and disclosure," Dr. Morrison said.

Dr. Morrison said organisations should try to provide friendly environments and encourage workplace friendships, but have policies in place to manage potential difficulties.

"Organisations need unambiguous and transparent processes and to set clear guidelines about workplace relationships."

The research was undertaken online with 230 respondents. Tips to help manage workplace friends are:

Be aware of how organisational friendships can impact on the workplace. Be wary of becoming a best friend at work, but recognise that it is really healthy and important to have good friendships.

If you are experiencing problems surrounding favouritism and confidentiality, be aware of your organisation's policies.

Be open with your co-workers about what is work-related and what is not.

NZPA

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When cops embrace prisoners...

FAN HUG: An instance where guardians of the law turning law breakers was reported from India- at least in the eyes of the authorities in that country. This was when jailed Bollywood icon Sanjay Dutt was released on bail. As the actor came out of the jail gates among those who mobbed him were a group of policemen-apparently ardent fans of the heart throb star.

The cops went further and embraced the actor and exchanged pleasantries. But the Indian authorities were not amused and have launched an inquiry into the affair while one constable had already been interdicted.

Dutt was convicted for possessing fire arms used in the deadly 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts and sentenced to 20 years RI. According to the authorities the cops had breached a code of conduct in showing affinity with a convicted criminal. This was below par conduct for guardians of the law who this time around had made an ass of the law.

How these policemen may have wished they were in Sri Lanka where the line dividing official conduct and personal indiscretions often get blurred. Here they would have found that embracing was the norm rather than the exception- particularly if the ones being embraced were politicians who any way are good actors .

If only they cared to probe further these unfortunates would have found out how the embrace of their counterparts across the Palk straits go beyond politicians.

A mere hug to a returning prodigal would have posed no problem to these gentry in khaki who cater in a big way to VIP inmates in our prisons with luxury accommodation, five star food and other relaxation.

Sanjay Dutt may have wished he received a transfer to one of our own penitentiaries though one doubts if the fare he receives in the form of relaxation would match anything Bollywood would have to offer.

The Indian policemen may have only embraced a delinquent actor, but here they would find the police go several notches better and paying pooja to even lesser minions. They would be told how top police officers even went to the extent of saluting a notorious underworld criminal who was in the good books of a former regime.

No throwing the book at these officers either. They would also have found out how some policemen here excelled even their actor hero. A little digging on their part would have unravelled how a former IGP had attended the birthday party of a sibling of a leading drug lord and then acting the part of the dumb in denying the charge.

Still no embrace could be more firmer than the iron grip in which their counterparts operate here under all political dispensations. If not how can one explain the conduct of certain police officers who were good buddies of a particular regime suddenly spilling the beans on the doings of their former masters to the incumbent lot.

Doesn't this go to prove that a small thing like embracing an actor turn jail bird is no issue in this paradise isle when there is much more on the ball.

If not how can one explain a senior police officer who was fined for a serious felony not only having his fine settled by the state but also receiving a promotion to boot. Or the manner in which cases which were long closed for want of evidence suddenly resurfacing after many years only when the protagonist had proved to be been an irritant.

Rambler