Eight in 10 Canadian employers actively encourage people to cultivate friendships at work
By Jim Wilson
Mar 17, 2025
Most employers recognize the value that friendships bring to the workplace – and many are actively working to foster these connections, according to a report by Express Employment Professionals.
More than 9 in 10 companies (94%) say there are several benefits to employees forming friendships in the workplace.
In fact, 85% believe employees are more likely to stay with a company if they have friends in the workplace, with more than one-third (35%) strongly agreeing.
Other benefits – according to employers – include:
On the other hand, job seekers agree that workplace friendships are important and a key part of employee retention.
More than three-quarters of job seekers (78%) say they would be more likely to stay with a company if they have friendships in the workplace.
And around two-thirds (64%) have stayed at a job longer than intended because of their friendships at work while one-third (32%) have left a job because they were not able to form friendships at work.
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